About
ZimbaMoto
since circa 2008
"ZimbaMoto is the most exciting band playing African music to emerge on the West Coast for too many years. They perform mesmeric music for mind, heart, and feet - you'll have to work hard to stay seated once they start!"Tony Montague: Music journalist for the Georgia Straight, Penguin Eggs and ROOTS (U.K.)
“Afro Dance Culture is alive in our city! This quartet may be the new group on the scene, but the band's blend of African infused roots-rock, Caribbean, jazz and funk grooves, proves the versatility of these strong musicians. If you long for the irresistible rhythms of African music, then watch for ZimbaMoto coming to a festival stage or dance floor near you".
Val Dare: Britannia World Music/World Rhythms for Youth Society.
ZIMBAMOTO (Zimbabwean Fire):
ZimbaMoto is a collective African band with a range from Shona traditional music to contemporary African rhythms from Zimbabwe, Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya.
The lead musician Kurai Mubaiwa from Zimbabwe leads the with a solo Mbira performance taking you to another world dressed in the traditional Shona spiritual dress of ostrich feather headdress, loin skirt and leg shakers. The Mbira is known in Shona mythology to connect the living with the spirit world, which can be felt throughout this performance.
The members of ZimbaMoto then join together taking this musical journey to a further height, fusing the unique acoustic sounds of the Zimbabwean tenor Marimba and Mbira, with the rhythms of the African drum beats, the depth of the electric bass and rhythmical African guitar riffs.
PERFORMANCES:
ZimbaMoto is mainly comprised of four members lead by Kurai Mubaiwa.
On request festival event organizers may also request for solo, duo, trio or up to 8 performers including African dancers.
WORKSHOPS:
Marimba, Mbira, Ngoma and Hoshos Workshops are available by request.
KURAI MUBAIWA BIO:
Kurai Mubaiwa has been an established world musician, music teacher and theatre actor since 1994, who has toured across Europe, West Africa, and Southern Africa and across Canada opening and/or performing with legendary African artists such as Chiwoniso Maraire, Cesaria Evora, Andy Brown, and Oliver Mtukudzi at internationally recognized concerts and festivals.
He most recently performed with Chiwoniso Maraire at the 2009 WOMAD Festival in Las Palmas Spain.
Kurai is a Zimbabwean Mbira Master performing and teaching the melodic 25 key Zimbabwean thumb piano and Marimba around the world for almost 30 years.
Unknown
Current Lineup
Unlinked Musician
percussionist
2009 - present
