Zim’s Mbiravolution to host Mbira Acoustix Night

Mbira Acoustix Night is free for all and organised in collaboration with ATH Audio Productions.

In a rare treat for the fans and audience, Wilfred, best known as Nyamasvisva will exhibit his solo techniques on mbira and voice. He will fiddle the mbira, playing different genres on the instrument.

Mbira Acoustix is a Mbiravolution platform designed to promote and showcase the diversity of mbira music and its artists. The first edition hosted Chengeto Brown, the granddaughter of Nyunganyunga mbira master Dumisani Maraire, followed by Tendex who played his mbira on an electric loop effects paddle all exhibiting the diversity of the mbira and the unique modern feel to the instrument and its sound.

Ethnomusicologist, Hector Mugani, had this to say about the event, “As Mbiravolution we create platforms to celebrate the mbira in its entirety, we strive to give a different experience of the mbira. It is an up-close and personal experience with the mbira players, the sound and the joy”.

He added, “Every second Saturday of the month we will have a solo mbira show that will bring the mbira artist and the audience closer together, and each month a different artist will grace the stage. We intend to bring unique mbira players like the Mbira Dzavandau, players from the Chipinge area and even the Matepe from the Mutoko area in the editions to come”.

Nyamasvisva is the leader of one of Zimbabwe’s best mbira band, Mawungira eNharira. The seasoned mbira player was part of the founding members of Mbira DzeNharira, which was a pioneering band that popularised and commercialised a pure mbira act on radio, television and on the big concerts.

As usual, The Jr Bantan will take the stage soon after Nyamasvisva finishes his set. Jr Bantan has taken it upon himself to introduce Zimbabwean songs on his Karaoke song menu ranging from Zimdance hall to Urban Groves to Afro-jazz to sungura. This makes his Karaoke set unique to Zimbabwe but also inclusive of the option to choose from international tracks as well.

Mbiravolution is an mbira community and networking platform for mbira players, researchers and lovers. It’s a The Legacy Trust project that aims for the continuity and change of the mbira.