Concert – Mbira Spirit with Marim-Bam-Buzz - African, Folk, Gospel, Spiritual

Date: 

Friday, January 16, 2015 - 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Venue: 

Char's Landing

4815 Argyle Street, Port Alberni

Contact: 

Fri, Jan 16th, 8-10pm, Concert – Mbira Spirit with Marim-Bam-Buzz - African, Folk, Gospel, Spiritual
Mbira Spirit is the dynamic artist duo, Amy and Tafadzwa Matamba!  Joyful, Interactive Edutainment!  Playing traditional, folk, gospel and reggae styles of music from Zimbabwe, Africa!  Our sweet harmonies and irresistible rhythms are very inspiring and motivating leaving our audiences uplifted!  Tafadzwa is from Zimbabwe, Africa and came to Canada as a Performing Artist.  He grew up in a small village where singing, dancing, drumming and music were a part of everyday life.  His passion for mbira came from his father and the more he learned it, the more he was driven to share it.  Amy invited Tafadzwa to share his music on Vancouver Island.  Joined by Port Alberni’s own marimba band Marim-Bam-Buzz.  We are set for a night of culture.  This is a benefit concert and all proceeds will go towards establishing our Cultural Arts Centre here on Vancouver Island and in Magunje, Zimbabawe. 
https://www.facebook.com/MbiraSpirit?ref=hl  
http://youtu.be/J09U4Dsw5vw?list=UUUHjXwKAxWO8gOyINx2h9Dg
Advance Tickets $12 at Char’s Landing, Gayle’s Fashions & Rollin Arts (cash/cheque) out-of-towners email [email protected]
Char’s 19+ Lounge opens 4pm drop-ins add $3 FMI (250) 730-1636 Char’s Landing, 4815 Argyle @5th. Port Alberni
Marim-Bam-Buzz bio
 
The irrepressible music of Marim-Bam-Buzz has been welcomed by people in the Alberni Valley since 1999.  The instruments were made after a few enthusiastic attendees of a Marimba Muzuva concert thought a Port Alberni marimba band would be an excellent community building project.  We thought the process of building the instruments would not only help us to truly appreciate the music but also help us solidify a communal basis for the budding band.  And the adventure began…
The marimbas built were the Zimbabwean marimbas that are based on Shona music.   Marimbas are finely crafted xylophones made from hardwoods such as vermilion, mahogany and peduk (Marim-Bam-Buzz used peduk).   The keys are fine-tuned to reflect the tones played in African societies.  Each key has a resonator which amplifies the sound, producing a unique musical effect--from the clear, bell-like tones of the soprano marimba to the deep, percussive tones of the bass (Marim-Bam-Buzz used PVC pipes and wood plugs covered with cellophane which gives the buzz).   Marimbas are about five feet long with their heights varying from two feet to more than five feet.
This style of this music originated in Zimbabwe in the 1960’s when traditional “Mbira” tunes and rhythm were transposed to the much louder 7-piece marimba ensemble format.  Although we practised we were more concerned with having fun and just enjoying the process rather than the technical finesse, hence the name Marim-BAM-BUZZ.   In the Marim-Bam-Buzz ensemble there are seven marimbas (3 sopranos, 2 tenors, a baritone and bass) along with percussion instruments: hoshos, cow bells, triangle and various hand drums. 
Over the years and a hundred odd gigs later the band members have changed, but overall the energy and attitude remains the same.   Marim-Bam-Buzz keeps bamming and buzzing and bringing a smile to the various member’s faces and its listeners.
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