Zimbabwean Music

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 12, 2006
Dr. Joy Dworkin
(417) 625-9674

 

Musekiwa Chingodza

JOPLIN (SNS) - Musekiwa Chingodza, a musician and virtuoso performer on the mbira, an indigenous instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, will perform at a number of concerts and classes in the Four State area in September.

 

Chingodza will perform with another mbira player, Bud Cohen, who lives in Eugene, Oregon. Cohen has been involved with the Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center in Eugene for years; this non-profit organization is dedicated to sharing the music of Zimbabwe.

 

In his activities with the Arts Center, Bud has traveled with, played with, and recorded music with many Zimbabwean musicians during their visits to the U.S.

 

* Musekiwa Chingodza and Bud Cohen and the local group “Kufara” will appear at the “Festival of Friends” at Central Park in Carthage, Mo at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

 

* The Missouri Southern State University Institute of International Studies will sponsor a free concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18 at Webster Hall Auditorium at MSSU.

 

Many believe the classical repertoire for this instrument to be over a thousand years old. Important for religious ceremonies as well as for strictly social gatherings, the instrument has long played a central cultural role in Shona life.

 

Between 22 to 28 metal keys mounted on a wooden soundboard, this instrument played with both thumbs and right forefinger looks simple, but the music is remarkably complex. Pieces are based on a cyclical pattern, with a variety of interlocking melodies/ Pieces typically employ two players, for the kushaura (leading) and kutsinhira (interlocking) parts.

 

Other aspects of the music include hosho (gourd shakers), singing, and dancing.

 

Musekiwa Chingodza was born into a family of great mbira players in Mwangara village, Murewa, Zimbabwe, in 1970. He began playing mbira at the age of five and is self-taught. Through listening to other gwenyambira, or great mbira players, he developed a strong attachment to and love for mbira music.

 

He says, “Our music is both medicine and food, as mbira has the power to heal and to provide for people. Following up on his widely acclaimed CD with Jennifer Kyker, entitled “Tsunga,” Musekiwa released his CD “VaChingodza Budai Pachena.” His newest CD, “Kutema Musasa,” has just been released (late 2005).

 

#

Performances/Lessons

Saturday, Sept. 16
6 p.m. - Carthage Central Park
Kufara and guest musicians Musekiwa Chingodza & Bud Cohen perform at the annual “Festival of Friends”

 

Sunday, Sept. 17
Performance
3 p.m., McCray Hall, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan.
Musekiwa Chingodza & Bud Cohen perform Zimbabwean mbira music

 

Monday, Sept. 18
Performance
7:30pm-Webster Hall Auditorium, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, Mo.
Musekiwa Chingodza & Bud Cohen perform Zimbabwean Mbira music

 

Saturday, Sept. 16
Percussion Workshop with Musekiwa Cingodza
10:30 a.m. - 12 noon
508 ½ Joplin St., Joplin, MO
Fee: $15.
Bring hand drums and folding chairs, if possible. Learn Zimbabwean rhythms, singing and dancing optional.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 19
Children’s Marimba Classes with Bud Cohen
4-5 p.m. (For ages 8-11)
6-7 p.m. (For ages 12 and up)
508 ½ Joplin St., Joplin, MO
Fee: $10 per session

 

Those desiring more information or wanting to schedule an mbira lesson should Joy Dworkin at (417) 781-5826, 625-9647 or 483-3180, or e-mail dworkin-j@mssu.edu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.