Mbira DzeNharira was formed by

Tendayi Gahamadze Tendayi ''(Samaita)'' Gahamadze (born July 3, 1959) is a Zimbabwean artist and songwriter. Background Tendayi Gahamadze was born at his parents' farm in Musengezi and went to Mkwasha Primary School. He went to Moleli for secondary education. ...

in 1987 in

Norton Norton may refer to: Places Norton, meaning 'north settlement' in Old English, is a common place name. Places named Norton include: Canada *Rural Municipality of Norton No. 69, Saskatchewan *Norton Parish, New Brunswick **Norton, New Brunswick, a ...

, a town 40 km west of Harare. To date they have released 11 CD and 3 DVD albums.

Background

Mbira dzeNharira revolutionized the sound of

mbira Mbira ( ) are a family of musical instruments, traditional to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. They consist of a wooden board (often fitted with a resonator) with attached staggered metal tines, played by holding the instrument in the hands and p ...

by electrifying and rearranging the instruments into

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

baritone A baritone is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the bass and the tenor voice-types. The term originates from the Greek (), meaning "heavy sounding". Composers typically write music for this voice in the r ...

, rhythm and lead

. The ancient 22 key mbira dzavadzimu was a three

octave In music, an octave ( la, octavus: eighth) or perfect octave (sometimes called the diapason) is the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. The octave relationship is a natural phenomenon that has been refer ...

instrument with the keys on the right standing for lead keys, on the upper left is the rhythm section, and on the bottom left is the bass section. This made it possible for one mbira player to be able to perform solo at ceremonies and gatherings, and sometimes it could be two or three players rotating on those three octaves. Mbira DzeNharira decided to increase the number of

to six using four mbiras on the mbira dzavadzimu. Complex rhythms were born and mbira music took a more vibrant and multi rhythmic style which completely changed the sound. The current members of the group who have been together for eleven years are

who composes, sings and plays the baritone mbira ( Dongonda), Clemmence Rice who plays the bass mbira (Nhovapasi), Takawira Devera who plays lead mbira (Nheketo) and Tendai (Netombo) Kazuru who plays shakers ( hosho). All the players of instruments except the bass man are also singers. As the group ages it matures more in depths of

Shona music Shona music is the music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. There are several different types of traditional Shona music including mbira, singing, hosho and drumming. Very often, this music will be accompanied by dancing, and participation by the a ...

. Mbira dzeNharira is an ancient style of music. It consists of Shona musical repertoires, folk tales and Spirit composed music. It is spiritual and can be played at traditional ceremonies, it has preserved the Shona culture and traditions through its art work.

Discography

CD albums

*Rine Manyanga Hariputirwe *Gomo Remandiriri *Kudya Kwenzeve *Tozvireva Tingaputike Neshungu *Toita Zverudo *Gonamombe Rerume *Fare Fare Tindike * Pfora *Nyamubvambire Wamuka *Dziva Renjuzu *Bvungurungwi KwaWaze *Chivimbanamuyeni

Background

Discography

CD albums

DVD albums

See also

References

External links