• Home
  • Music
  • Bio
  • Calendar
  • News
  • Photos
  • Buy
  • Press
  • Guestbook
  • Contact
  • Links

Masanga Marimba

  • Home
  • Music
  • Bio
  • Calendar
  • News
  • Photos
  • Buy
  • Press
  • Guestbook
  • Contact
  • Links
“...and a spectacular marimba band that completely stole the show...I know who I'll call if I ever plan a blowout rockin' big bash.” - Joan C

— Yelp

“...Dr. Ric Alviso, a teacher professor at California State University Northridge, has been studying mbira music since 1994. In 2000, the Masanga Marimba Ensemble evolved from a class he was teaching. “Masanga” is a word in the Shonalanguage meaning a coming together of roads or rivers and it is meant to represent “the coming together of Zimbabwean and American cultures.” The CD consists of nine songs of which five are traditional or based on traditional material from Zimbabwe, and two others are composed by Dumisani Maraire, a well respected Shonamusician who also released an album on the Nonesuch Explorer label. The music at times is exciting and full of energy. At other times it is introspective and hypnotic. Always the rhythms are strong; and the melodies are deceptive in their appearance of simplicity that hides a wonderful intricacy as the overlaying parts interweave in a marvelous interplay of melody and rhythm. The singing is rich with harmony and the voices are melodious. I most enjoy the tracks where melody lines come in gradually and eventually build the to the rich polyphony and overlaid rhythms which are so characteristic of Zimbabwean music. This is beautifully illustrated in Marenje where the marimba skillfully captures the flavor of the interweav- ing of the individual mbira melodies. In Chipindura, the actual playing of mbira is delightfully presented in its pure form with understated singing which allows the instrument to shine through with its gossamer ringing tones. The one piece which is not from Zimbabwe, Kapotso, has a distinctive Caribbean flavor and could practically pass for Steel Drum music from Trinidad until it moves into a sweet harmonious chorus...” - Mark Gilston

— FolkWorks

Waka Waka, from our newest Record, "Shvakanaka"

Upcoming Shows!

Jul7

Zoo Friday Nights

Friday, July 7 @ 6:30PM — 9:00PMFri, Jul 7 @ 6:30PM — 9:00PM

LA Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA. 90027

We are so happy to be back at the LA Zoo for Zoo Friday Nights! We've played here well over a dozen times over the years. We will be playing from 6:30-9:00pm every half-hour. You better believe the lion won't sleep this night while we're rocking the place!

Share
View on Google Maps
Jul8

Members' Summer Evenings 2023

Saturday, July 8 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PMSat, Jul 8 @ 7:00PM — 8:00PM

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA. 91108

What an honor to be coming back to the Huntington! In 2019 we put on a great show. This time we will have new material and maybe a few surprises for the audience. Last time we enjoyed looking out and seeing all the families enjoying a beautiful summer evening while picnicking. There will again be plenty of music to dance to and we can't wait to see the "mosh pit" of pre-schoolers dancing in front of us like last time! Sorry, members only for this event.

Share
View on Google Maps
Jul16

Sawdust Art Festival

Sunday, July 16 @ 3:00PM — 7:30PMSun, Jul 16 @ 3:00PM — 7:30PM

Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA. 92651

Hey OC- we're back! We hope the audience this year is as energetic as last year's. We ended with a full-on party. So much to enjoy about Laguna and this festival!

Share
View on Google Maps
« First ‹ Prev 1 2 Next › Last »
View previous events

Sign up to be on our mailing list!

Your email address

Social Media

  • Log out
Powered by Bandzoogle

notes
0:00/???
  1. 1
    Chiro Chacho 3:32
    Info
    0:00/3:32
  2. 2
    Marenje 6:40
    0:00/6:40
  3. 3
    Skokiana 5:48
    Info
    0:00/5:48
  4. 4
    Taireva 7:53
    Info
    0:00/7:53
0:00/???