Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center

In an artists’ loft in Eugene, Oregon where Shumba Marimba used to rehearse, Maggie Donahue, a member of Shumba, helped to teach the first African marimba class in 1989 and began to envision a larger center where many adults and children could learn to play Zimbabwean music.

Encouraged by Dr. Abraham Dumisani Maraire (Dumi), a Zimbabwean musician and ethnomusicologist then living in Seattle, Maggie and a group of eager students built a set of marimbas and formed Kutsinhira Community Marimba Center. The name was changed in 2001 to Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center to reflect our interest in all aspects of Zimbabwean music and culture.

Since the early days, Kutsinhira has become a non-profit organization with a board of directors, four teachers, and enough students to support six weekly classes and three performing ensembles. Our connection with the people and culture of Zimbabwe is strengthened not only through a deep appreciation of the beautiful music we have learned, but also through close ties with our Zimbabwean teachers Cosmas Magaya, Beauler Dyoko, Musekiwa Chingodza and many others who have generously provided so much more than the notes to the music.

The logo for Kutsinhira is an mbira held in a gourd resonator. The Shona word kutsinhira refers to the musical part played on an mbira that responds to the main line of a song. Taken together, they are a metaphor for the idea that a note struck in Zimbabwe reverberates with us in the Pacific Northwest.

Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center Website

I’m enjoying listening to this collection of marimba and mbira songs much more than I might expect to enjoy just any class recital. The Kutsinhira Center in Eugene has been spawning good players for a long time, and the ensembles represented here are fine examples. Even more impressive than the ‘adult’ ensembles is Kwayedza who have been dazzling audiences for many years now; I wonder if they’re dropping ‘Youth Ensemble’ from their name, as their members must surely be outgrowing their teens by this time. The album is enhanced by Zimbabwean guests Beauler Dyoko, Cosmas Magaya, and Musekiwa Chingodza, who perform with one another and with the Kutsinhira members on nearly every track.

Among my favorite marimba pieces on this album are Taireva, arranged by Gary Goldwater and performed by Kwayedza; Sikokiyana, arranged by Musekiwa Chingodza and performed by Jenaguru; and Chipembere, arranged by Stephen Golovnin and performed by Zambuko. The marimba pieces on the CD tend to sound a bit over-controlled, something I hear in much North American marimba, and it’s great to hear Jenaguru kick loose a bit on Sikokiyana under Musekiwa’s direction. Beaulah Dyoko likewise loosens up the Monday Night Marimba Class for a rousing version of Nhemamusasa, with the great lady leading with mbira and voice. I’m particularly fond of the timbre of the marimbas played on this album – it’s a strong, pulsating, piping sound that’s joy to my ears.

Mbira is well represented on Musimboti with Serevende Nyamaropa played by Musekiwa Chingodza and Jennifer Kyker, Nhemamusasa by Musekiwa, Beaulah, and Cosmas, and Taireva played by Cosmas and friends. I like the acoustic placement of the hosho in these mbira tracks, readily apparent in the mix but not overwhelming, while in contrast the hosho tends to be too faint for my liking in the marimba recordings.

Perhaps my favorite track is Hwende, in which Musekiwa sings call & response with various Kutsinhira members, drumming the only accompaniment. I could stand to hear a whole lot more of this in performances and on recordings. The rhythm really swings and makes me want to get up and dance!

Musimboti is the Zimbabwean word for the center pole that supports the roof of a banya, a large ceremonial hut where a community gathers for spiritual ceremonies. The word was suggested by Musekiwa Chingodza as a metaphor for the role Kutsinhira plays in providing support for the community to learn about Zimbabwean music and culture. The CD Musimboti shows just how well Kutsinhira is realizing their dream.

Tracks:

1. Taireva (We used to tell you) (performed by Kwayedza; Trad.; arranged by Gary Goldwater) (5:29) Listen
2. Nhemamusasa (Temporary shelter) (performed by Kutsinhira Monday night class with Beauler Dyoko; Trad.; arranged by Joel Lindstrom) (7:49) Listen
3. Serevende Nyamaropa (Mahororo) (something which goes on and on) (performed by Hungwe, Musekiwa Chingodza, Jennifer Kyker) (7:42) Listen
4. Kasahwa (A little snake bone) (performed by Zambuko with Beauler Dyoko; Trad.; arranged by Gary Goldwater) (6:31) Listen
5. Sikokiyana (Skokiaan) (performed by Jenaguru, Musekiwa Chingodza; composed by August Msarurgwa; arranged by Musekiwa Chingodza) (3:47) Listen
6. Nhemamusasa (Temporary shelter) (performed by Cosmas Magaya, Beauler Dyoko, Musekiwa Chingodza) (11:04) Listen
7. Kumakomo (At the mountains) (performed by Jenaguru; composed by Chris Berry) (4:35) Listen
8. Kapotso Unondo Tamba Iwewe (You aren't serious enough!) (performed by Kwayedza; composed by Dumisani Maraire; Based on a Chopi children's song.) (6:34) Listen
9. Taireva (We used to tell you) (performed by Cosmas Magaya, Jerome Hobbs, Joel Lindstrom, Bud Cohen, Jennifer Kyker) (8:33) Listen
10. Chipembere ya Stavo (Chipembere) (Stephen's version of The Black Rhinoceros) (performed by Zambuko; Trad.; arranged by Stephen Golovnin) (4:09) Listen
11. Hwende (Great Spirit) (performed by Musekiwa Chingodza with Kutsinhira members; singing & drums.) (5:03) Listen

Instruments: (in alphabetical order)

ngoma, hosho, marimba, mbira, voice.

Credits: (in alphabetical order)

Cheryl Nel Applegate, Chris Berry, Jeremy Bronson, Kelly Burke, Jim Burkland, Musekiwa Chingodza, Bud Cohen, Nell Deligio-Speiss, Maggie Donahue, Beauler Dyoko, Erin Ely, Scott English, Gary Goldwater, Stephen Golovnin, Mekah Hall-Gomintuez, Cindy Hinton, Corie Hinton, Jerome Hobbs, Karen Howe, Hungwe, Jenaguru, Maggie Jones, Karen Kline, Marilyn Kolodziejczyk, Kutsinhira members, Kutsinhira Monday Night Class, Kwayedza, Jennifer Kyker, Craig LaFollette, Darlene Lashbrook, Kathleen Leonard, Joel Lindstrom, Cosmas Magaya, Dumisani Maraire, Jenaguru Marimba, Kwayedza Marmiba, Zambuko Marmiba, August Msarurgwa, Deborah Olson, Gary Spalter, Lynne Swift, Charlene Talkington, Dan Turner, Dennis Urso, David Wade, Wanda Walker, Zambuko.

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