The mbira, also known as the “thumb piano,” is a distinctive Zimbabwean percussion instrument. As an idiophone, it features resonant solid components integrated into its…
Mbira: the Entrancing Zimbabwean Thumb Piano
Tag: Zimbabwe
Artist Profiles: Hope Masike
Hope Masike is a Zimbabwean vocalist, mbira player, percussionist, songwriter, fashion designer, painter and dancer. She is known as “The Princess of Mbira” and her…
Artist Profiles: Oliver Mtukudzi
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi was born September 22, 1952 in Highfield, Harare, Zimbabwe. Oliver’s professional music career spanned more than thirty years and produced over 40…
Artist Profiles: Thomas Mapfumo
Dr. Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo became a star as Zimbabwe entered its revolution in the mid 1970s. His musical radio messages speaking out against political and…
Artist Profiles: Stella Chiweshe
Stella Rambisai Chiweshe was one of the first African women to enter the male dominated world of the mbira (Zimbabwean sanza or thumb piano). Stella…
Artist Profiles: Ramadu
Dumisani “Ramadu” Moyo was born on the 26th of June in 1975. He started his career as a professional musician in 199 in Bulawayo, in…
Artist Profiles: Louis Mhlanga
Louis Mhlanga was born November 10, 1956 in Harare. He is a South Africa-based Zimbabwean award-winning guitarist and producer. Mhlanga taught himself playing the guitar…
Mokoomba Announces 2017 North America Summer Tour
Popular Zimbabwean world music act Mokoomba will be touring the United States and Canada again this summer. The group from Victoria Falls is currently touring…
Artist Profiles: Insingizi Emnyama
Insingizi Emnyama was established in 1987 at Sobukhazi Secondary School and specialised in the Ladysmith Black Mambazo style of music Mbube and traditional dances like…
Artist Profiles: Cosmas Magaya
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.…