Album Notes

This intimate mbira recording highlights Musekiwa Chingodza's virtuosic solo mbira playing and vocals. In addition to several well-loved traditional mbira pieces, this album features two original compositions by Musekiwa. The first, "Rega Kuchema," talks about the importance of maintaining friendship despite hard times. The second, "Vana Vapera," is a moving musical commentary on HIV/AIDS. On this album, Musekiwa is accompanied by Jennifer Kyker on hosho and backing vocals.

Musekiwa Chingodza is a well-known Zimbabwean mbira and marimba player and teacher. He was born in Zimbabwe into a family of great mbira players in Mwangara village, Murewa, Zimbabwe in 1970. He began playing mbira at the age of five and is self-taught. Through listening to other gwenyambira, or great mbira players, he developed a strong attachment to and love for mbira music. He says, “Our music is both medicine and food, as mbira has the power to heal and to provide for people. Mbira pleases both the living and the dead.” In 1991, Musekiwa was a key member of the band Panjea, founded by Chris Berry. He composed the hit song “Ganda” on Panjea’s Zimbabwean album. Currently, Musekiwa teaches mbira at Prince Edward School in Harare. He is an excellent singer, dancer, drummer, and he plays both mbira dzavadzimu and nyunganyunga. Together with Jennifer Kyker as the mbira duo "Hungwe," Musekiwa has also released the album "Tsunga."