Cosmas Magaya was born in 1953 in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Zimbabwe. He played the mbira since he was a child and was an acclaimed performer and teacher.
Cosmas was one of the central figures and significant consultants to Dr. Paul Berliner in his 1978 book The Soul of Mbira: Music and Traditions of the Shona People of Zimbabwe.
A skillful musician from an early age, Cosmas Magaya was an essential member of the celebrated mbira ensemble, Mhuri yekwaRwizi, led by vocalist Hakurotwi Mude.
Originally sponsored to the USA by the Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center (Eugene, Oregon) in the 1990s, Cosmas successively traveled extensively and regularly to perform and teach. Many students and musicians had the privilege of learning from him in university classrooms, at mbira camps and workshops, and in private lessons.
Magaya’s playing can be heard on the Nonesuch recordings Zimbabwe – The Soul of Mbira: Traditions of the Shona People and Zimbabwe – Shona Mbira Musi.
Duke University professor Louise Meintjes said: “Magaya was deeply committed to Shona cultural knowledge and its documentation, working alongside his friend, student, and musical associate, Paul Berliner, for fifty years. He was a regular visitor to Duke University, where he held his final residency in 2016. His life and artistry is commemorated in The Art of Mbira: Musical Inheritance and Legacy (Berliner 2020), released only months before his passing, and a forthcoming players’ method book, Mbira’s Restless Dance: An Archive of Improvisation (Berliner and Magaya, 2020) by the University of Chicago Press.“
Cosmas Magaya died on July 10, 2020,
Discography:
Zimbabwe: The Soul of Mbira (Nonesuch Records World Explorer Series H-72054, 1973)
Zimbabwe: Shona Mbira Music (Nonesuch Records World Explorer Series H-72077, 1977), reissued in 2002
Cosmas Magaya Solo (Mbira Recording Library, 1994)
Mbira (Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center, 1998)
Afamba Apota (Little Elf’s Workshop, 2000)
Mhuri yekwaMagaya (Mbira Recording Library, 2000)
Musimboti (Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center, 2002)
Anoyimba (Little Elf’s Workshop, 2002)
Ndangariro, with Beauler Dyoko (2014)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
We are heartbroken at the loss of Sekuru Magaya, may he Rest In Peace.
Our love and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.