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The 1999 Zimbabwean Music Festival took place June 4, 5 & 6 at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington, USA. Zimfest 99 brought together an international community of over 400 people to teach, attend workshops, and perform. Nine talented Zimbabwean musicians were key participants in the weekend's activities.
During the mornings and afternoons there were 95 workshops in marimba, mbira, story-telling, singing, dance, drumming, hosho, Shona language, and other topics. Several community discussions focused on the roles and responsibilities North Americans have who play and teach Zimbabwean music. Afternoon and evening concerts featured about 30 performing groups.
See also:
1999 Festival Program, for complete details.
1999 Guest Zimbabweans
Tute Chigamba was born in 1939 into a family of traditional musicians and spiritual worshippers. Both of his parents were musicians — his father was a drummer and his mother a singer and dancer. During the struggle for Zimbabwean independence, Mr. Chigamba was called upon to play at ceremonies asking Zimbabwe's great spirits to guide and protect her freedom fighters in the jungle. His primary instrument is the Gandanga style mbira, and he has written many of his own compositions. He also performs with an ensemble of eleven family members — Mhembero, the Shona word for celebration. In addition to his composing and performing, Mr. Chigamba is well-known for his mbira building. His instruments are highly sought after in Zimbabwe and other locations.
Irene Chigamba, the daughter of Tute Chigamba, is the artistic director of Mhembero, the Chigamba family's dance and mbira ensemble. A self-taught mbira player, she is recognized as one of the finest in Zimbabwe. From her family, she has also learned much about Zimbabwean folk dance. Further experience as a member of the former National Dance Company of Zimbabwe has given Irene a large body of knowledge of the dances of other provinces of her country.
Julia Chigamba is a long-time member of Mhembero, the Chigamba family dance and mbira ensemble. A native Zimbabwean and daughter of the highly respected gwenyambira Tute Chigamba, she has grown up in the traditions of Shona music and dance. On her first trip to the United States, she is excited about sharing her knowledge of Shona music and dance, and continuing her father's work of teaching their family tradition in North America.
Musekiwa Chingodza was born 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 teachs mbira at Prince Edward School in Harare. He is an excellent singer, dancer and drummer and plays both mbira dzavadzimu and nyunga nyunga.
Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye has taught for the Washington State Arts Commission for over 20 years, sharing her knowledge of music, song, dance, story-telling and children's games. She has performed for the past 25 years either with Sukutai Marimba and Dance Ensemble or with Dumi and Minanzi Marimba Ensemble. Lora was born and grew up in Zimbabwe, and now lives in Seattle. (She is also a graduate of Port Townsend High School!)
Rujeko Dumbutshena was born and raised among the Shona people of Zimbabwe and has a rich life steeped in the ancient music and dance traditions of her people. In 1991 Rujeko left Zimbabwe, and since that time she has taught classes, lectured and performed nationally as well as internationally. She is currently teaching African dance at the University of New Mexico and performing with Panjea as well as directing her own dance company, Vanhu Vamwe.
Peter Masundire grew up in Zimbabwe and has been giving individual tutorials in Shona language in Seattle since 1998. His lessons are based on the Zezuru dialect of the Shona language.
Paul Mataruse is from Zimbabwe, but he has been living and studying in North America for the past three years. Currently he is studying chemistry at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Paul has been playing marimba for 14 years and was taught by his father at the age of six. Paul has taught in schools in and around the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe as well as in several primary schools in Harare from 1992 to 1995. This year he will introduce exciting new personal compositions to the workshops he teaches.
Sheasby Matiure is currently an artist in residence with the International Vocal Ensemble at Indiana University. In Zimbabwe, Mr. Matiure is a music lecturer at Seke Teacher Training College, just outside Harare. Mr. Matiure has also acted as manager and artistic director of the Zimbabwe National Dance Company. He is a highly respected musician, adept at playing mbira, ngoma, hosho and marimba.
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