Kutandara fuses ancient African music traditions
with, jazz, gospel, classical, latin, and world folk influences to create
an irresistible combination. Their exuberant, eclectic, and hi-energy
polyrhythmic performances manage to be innovative and deeply-rooted at
the same time.
Kutandara's music is infectiouslly
happy, and this is a perfect group to liven up any festival with its
joyful, energetic performances. Kutandara has
performed at the Boulder and Aggie Theaters and at many festivals and concert
series, including the Colorado Performing Arts Festival, the Boulder Creek
Festival, and Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
Kutandara works with a variety of instruments, songs, and dances from
around the world. Their primary inspiration and influence comes from
the Shona peoples of southern Africa.
The music itself comes from both traditional and contemporary composers
working in an amazing unbroken tradition going back well over 1000
years. Often two or more mbira and/or marimbas are played together
to create complex interlocking melodies and rhythms known as “hocketing.” Western
ears familiar with gospel and jazz will recognize the roots of those
forms in the call-and-response and improvisational structure of many
of the pieces. Folk and world music fans will recognize the ancient “singing
lines” made famous in The Nonesuch Series “Soul of Mbira,” in
addition to the driving marimba beats behind the chimurenga (“struggle
for freedom”) music of Thomas Mapfumo.
"Kutandara showcases the best world music talent."
--
Boulder Weekly
"Kutandara pounds out infectious polyrhythms . . . the music
is irresistible"
-- New West Magazine
"Boulder’s favorite African-style marimba band"
-- Greg Glasgow, The Daily Camera
“ . . . captures the beauty and passion."
--
World Beat
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