Join us for an uplifting evening of Afro Fusion and World Beat live music, with influences from Zimbabwe and West Africa, featuring Vancouver’s Zimbamoto and Victoria’s Marafani World Beat.
Led by master Zimbabwean musician, percussionist and singer Kurai Mubaiwa, ZIMBAMOTO brings an exhilarating flavour of traditional and contemporary music from Zimbabwe. Centered around the mbira (thumb piano) and songs in the Shona language, ZIMBAMOTO is backed by a thunderous rhythm section including noted percussionist Curtis Andrews on drum kit, lead guitarist Mark Campbell, percussionist Navaro Franco and bassist Greg Valou. The band plays with modern Afrobeat sensibility that’s guaranteed to get you moving.
“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, Georgia Straight
Warming up the evening is Victoria’s own Afro-Fusion band, MARAFANI WORLD BEAT, led by Guinean percussionist and vocalist Alseny Michel Diallo and singer/dancer N’Nato Camara. Diallo and Camara’s passion for and knowledge of both traditional and modern Guinean music has inspired a group of Victoria musicians to create a dynamic Afro-fusion electric band. Marafani’s upbeat blend of West African, reggae, hip hop, and soul music always gets people on the dance floor!
ARTIST WEBSITES: www.zimbamoto.com AND www.marafani.com