Vakasara Mbira
Vakasara Mbira Group, based in Eugene, Oregon, USA, plays traditional mbira music from Zimbabwe. This intricate and beautiful music has both a spiritual and celebratory function in the traditional Shona societies of Zimbabwe, and has caught the ears of many Western musicians as well, with its haunting melodies and rhythmic complexity. Accompaniment with gourd hosho (shakers) and Shona singing provide a rich and lively sound experience.
Our name, Vakasara, is a Shona word meaning “Those who have stayed behind.” We stay here waiting and preparing for our Zimbabwean friends to return, so we can play music with them again!
Vakasara members Marilyn Kolodziejczyk, Jerome Hobbs, Joel Lindstrom, Marilyn Mohr, and Bud Cohen have studied and performed with some of the greatest living masters of Zimbabwean mbira, hosho and singing, including Cosmas Magaya, Ambuya Beauler Dyoko, Musekiwa Chingodza, Tute Chigamba, and Matemai.
Kubereka Mhodzi
"Bearing Fruit"
Length: 51:56
2009
CD (685-C) $10.00 plus shipping available
Kune Vadzidzisi Tinotenda nekutidzisa. Dear Teachers -Thank you for teaching us. We hope that you like it!
Proceeds from the sales of this album will be shared with our Zimbabwean teachers, and with nonprofits helping in Zimbabwe (MBIRA and the Kutsinhira Zimbabwe Cultural Development Project).
Tracks:
- 1. Mukatiende (Bukatiende) (“Wake Up Let’s Go!)) (Trad.; song lyrics from Ambuya Beauler Dyoko) (8:07)
- 2. Wafa Warova (When You are Dead, You are Gone for Good) (Trad.; song lyrics from Ambuya Beauler Dyoko) (5:01)
- 3. Kari Mugomba (A Small Thing in the Pit) (Trad.; song lyrics from Musekiwa Chingodza) (6:44)
- 4. Nhemamusasa (Building a Temporary Shelter) (Trad.; song lyrics from many teachers) (8:21)
- 5. Taireva (We Have Been Telling You) (Trad.; song lyrics from Dzapasi Mbira Group and Ambuya Beauler Dyoko) (9:33)
- 6. Marenje/Serevende for Mukatiende (Something which goes on and on) (Trad.; song lyrics from Musekiwa Chingodza) (7:19)
- 7. Bangiza (Trad.; song lyrics from Ambuya Beauler Dyoko) (6:51)
Instruments: (in alphabetical order)
hosho, makwa, mbira, voice.
Credits: (in alphabetical order)
Bud Cohen, Jerome Hobbs, Marilyn Kolodziejczyk, Joel Lindstrom, Marilyn Mohr.