Vancouver Zimbabwean Music Trio Releases Debut CD Tambanavo

The Zhambai Trio, Vancouver’s premier mbira/marimba group is set to release their debut CD entitled Tambanavo (“Dance With Them”) on Thursday June 21 at The Waldorf Hotel. Here is some information I received about the group:

The group was formed 2 years ago when award-winning world traveler/percussionist/composer Curtis Andrews arrived in Vancouver from his native Newfoundland and met Zimbabwean born and raised Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa, one of North America’s best mbira/marimba players. Their immediate chemistry attracted Navaro Franco, a lover of Zimbabwean music and the trio was born.

The debut CD Tambanavo features a mixture of traditional and original pieces on voice, mbira and marimba as well as other traditional instruments ngoma (hand drum) and hosho (rattle). The mbira is a type of “thumb piano” which has a history going back at least 700 years and is used traditionally as a means to commune with ancestral spirits. Today the instrument has gone worldwide and can be found in almost any musical style. The CD release will feature the Zhambai Trio playing selections from Tambanavo and will also feature two other groups that perform Zimbabwean-inspired music. Zimbamoto is a high-energy Vancouver based Afro-Fusion group fronted by Mubaiwa. And very special guests all the way from Zimbabwe (!) are Bongo Love, a quartet who are on a North American tour and will be bringing their own brand of “Afrocoustics” to Vancouver for the first time. 3 unique ensembles bringing the spirit of Africa to the doorstep of Vancouver.

WHEN: June 21, Thursday
WHO: Zhambai Trio With guests Zimbamoto (zimbamoto.com)Bongo Love (bongolovemuzik.com)The Waldorf Hotel
WHERE: 1489 East Hastings Ave.Vancouver, BC
WHEN: Doors at 8:30, music @ 9pm
HOW MUCH $12 advance $15 @ door