Zimbabwean Mbira Music with Fradreck Mujuru and Erica Azim
Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center
The metal keys of the mbira, plucked with two thumbs and one forefinger, create relaxing yet invigorating polyphony and polyrhythm. For over a thousand years, the mbira instrument and its repertoire of classic songs have been used in Zimbabwe to call family ancestors and powerful tribal guardian spirits to earth to help the living, in night-long to week-long ceremonies. Every time the mbira is played, it is considered a prayer to the ancestors, which results in their protection of the living.
Erica Azim is the foremost mbira performer and
recording artist in
the United States. She fell in love with Shona mbira music when
she
first heard it at the age of sixteen. In 1974 she became one of
the first Americans to study mbira in Zimbabwe, and since
then she has studied
and performed with many of Zimbabwe’s top mbira masters, soloing
at venues ranging from Zimbabwean village ceremonies to the
Kennedy Center, in addition to many universities. She also
performs internationally and has recorded three solo recordings
and played on nine others. A lifelong teacher and
learner, she runs workshops throughout the United
States and the world. She directs the nonprofit organization
MBIRA, which makes field
recordings and instruments available to mbira enthusiasts around
the world and provides financial support to over 230 Zimbabwean
mbira players and instrument makers.
Fradreck Mujuru, grandson of the legendary Muchatera Mujuru, grew up in the largest extended family of mbira players in Zimbabwe. Strongly drawn to the instrument as a boy, he began to play at the age of eight, later learning to build mbiras as well. Today he is considered to be the greatest living mbira maker—his instruments are now played on every continent—as well as being a highly respected musician. Fradreck toured Europe and South Africa during the 1990s, and has both taught and performed in the United States, having had residencies at Grinnell College, Williams College, and the University of Michigan.