Rimuka Rine Ngoma & Edith Katiji- a jungleful of song
Edith Katiji on bass. PHOTO: Christian Hoppe
This Thursday 23 October sees a visit to one of Harare’s top live arts venues by the group ‘Rimuka Rine Ngoma’, a unique fusion of traditional mbira and the southern African simanjemanje, which is loosely gathered under the afro jazz umbrella, in an exciting double-bill with the dynamic singer, composer, bassist and actress, Edith Katiji.
Hailing from Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo – City of Kings – the group was formed by founder member Hudson Simbarashe in 2004, and plays in and around the city, with occasional visits to the capital, including HIFA last year.
This is the group’s second performance at The Mannenberg in Harare, courtesy of the jazz development programme of Pamberi Trust, with support from the W.F.Kellogg Foundation.
RIMUKA RINE NGOMA & EDITH KATIJI
‘A Jungleful of Song’
@ The Mannenberg, Fife Ave Mall
Thursday 23 October 2008, 10pm
Pamberi Trust is a registered arts organisation based in Harare, which exists to facilitate the arts. It’s Fife Avenue Mall jazz venue, The Mannenberg, plays host to senior league and up-and-coming jazz and afro groups of Zimbabwe, as well as local and international visiting musicians. This year, The Mannenberg welcomed the Ryan Cohan Quartet from Chicago courtesy of the US Embassy Public Affairs Section, and Habana Sax from Cuba courtesy of the Alliance Francaise.
The Thursday 23 Oct double-bill also features a young woman of Bulawayo (City of Queens!) who has already made her mark in the performing arts industry as an outstanding entertainer, actor and musician (bass, drums), leading an all-female group, active on the local theatre and music scene and involved in the development of the arts industry through Pamberi Trust’s gender programme FLAME (Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise), with support from HIVOS.
Rimuka Rine Ngoma
Formed in 2004, the group had already recorded their first album ‘Now or Never’ by 2005, and are now releasing their second, ‘Forgotten Tears’. The 10-track comprises original compositions by founding member Hudson Simbarashe (guitar/vo), who started out on the guitar in his schooldays, but only began to take himself seriously at the urging of Bulawayo musicians like gifted saxophonist Alois Kumpeu and the late trumpeter Basil Kumepu. In 2003 he gave up a regular job to commit himself to music, and he has not regretted the move. “It was worth it” he says, “although it’s a hard road, I love it more”.
Simbarashe’s personal influences date back to huge impact from legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, which ’still feels new’ to him, and local guitarists Davison Chipembere, George Pahlani, Picket Chiyanga of the Thomas Mapfumo stable, Jonah Sithole and Joseph Musonda. On the international front, Simbarashe is currently enjoying guitarist Eric Gale.
Such a wide range of influences definitely tells in his music, which Simbarashe says is “difficult to describe, something like a multi-faceted southern African groove settled in a Shona background. It’s new. It’s not like anyone. I’m going my own way.”
Hudson and Edith Katiji have performed together on many occasions in the Bulawayo community and further afield, and this 10pm double-bill promises to be exciting, with artistic talent abounding! The line-up will include Kevin Makina (bass), Simba Dembedza (drums) and guest Nick Nhare (keyb).
Pamberi Trust works for inclusion of all arts and artists, for access to exposure and opportunities, and extend a warm welcome to the visitors from Bulawayo.
Penny Yon
For Pamberi Trust
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