Percussionist and composer based in Cambridge, MA.

Stereo soundscape recordings. Sometime nature, sometimes people, sometimes machinery. Sometimes quiet things like a single branch creaking in the wind on Dartmoor, sometimes odd moments in the city. Mostly local, but sometimes travelling. 

Blackheat is a young, multi-talented and passionate poetess, singer and percussionist from Zimbabwe. She exploded onto the poetry scene in 2006 after being discovered by renowned poet, Chirikure Chirikure who introduced her to the Book Cafe in Harare.
 
Her talents are far-reaching and amazing to say the least. In the short space spanning her performance career, she has performed at the echelons of performance poetry in Zimbabwe. She has also spread her wings and delved into radio broadcasting, acting, publishing, advocacy and cultural activism.
 
Her poetry is pregnant with abstract and surreal imagery, chronicling the social goings-on of contemporary Africa flawlessly on the traditional African beats of Zimbabwe and beyond. Speaking passionately on consciousness, love, revolution, individuality, freedom, culture and the delicate, critical balance of the mind and soul, her poetry appeals to people of color and light.
 
Not surprisingly, she is inspired by the Malinke jelis of West Africa, the nomadic Wolof and the Tuareg people of Senegal and Niger, who have kept their heritage intact through the spoken word and music. This inspiration led her to form the band, Blackheat in 2011. She felt the need to preserve the traditions of her Shona people through the fusion of folk music, poetry, dance and thought-provoking lyrical content.
 
With Samson Gohwa (percussion, vocals), Prince Zhuwao (mbira, balafon, vocals) and Itai Karuza (djembe, percussion), and hersdlf on hwamanda, she started a journey that has given birth to a different understanding of spoken word, African music and dance.

 
For three decades, Michael J. Olson aka Doctor Twang has been dedicated to music and dance as vehicles for communication and the sharing of cultures, ideas and ideologies between nations, communities and individuals.   Instrumentality, Michael plays guitar, bass, djembe, congas and many other drums and percussion instruments including marimba, berimbao, and kalimba. As both a student and a performer of traditional and popular music and dance from Africa and the African Diaspora, Olson has studied and/or collaborated with many internationally respected musicians and dancers including: Ojeya-Cruz Banks, Abdou Kounta, Aziz Ahmed, Denise Bey, Ladji Camara, Arturo Rodriquez, Eno Washington, Abdou Dumbia, Caramba Dioubate, Guillermo Fás, Amadou Dembele, Rasaki Aladokun, Albert Nyathi and Imbongi, and the Bulawayo Kwela Kings. He has also written and arranged music for Arami Robinson (Nigeria) and Emanuel Ayafor (Cameroon), Bassirima Soro (Cote d’Ivoire), Tafadzwa Matamba and Praise Zenenga (both from Zimbabwe). Bands with which he is or has been associated have opened up concerts for King Sunny Ade, Kanda Bongo Man, Baba Maal, Lura, Queen Ida, Eek a Mouse, Zulu Spear, O.J. Ekemode, Toubab Krewe, Baba Ken Okulolo and the Afro-Groove ConneXion, Khaira Arby and, most recently, Tinariwen.
In addition to years of supporting the traditional drum and dance community as a musician, Olson has directed or co-directed; The World Music Ensemble Pulse, The G-Force Project, Batucaxé and the Key Ingredients of African Soul.    
	In early 2008, what began as a series of lunchtime jams resulted in the creation of The Key Ingredients of African Soul, a coalition of many talented musicians from Africa and the USA. Playing music from Africa and beyond, with Doctor Twang as their primary music arranger, the Key Ingredients of African Soul are the latest and most impressive evolution of  a musical vision which began over thirty years ago. 

Zvembira.com is website to make it easier for you to get information about mbira in the UK. The site provides you with up-to-date  information about mbira classes, tutors, performers and events across the UK. The blog and features section will provide you with some nice mbira stories and videos!

Tendai Nkonde, also known as TK is a conscious rapper and songwriter from Zimbabwe. TK`s rap music is an eclectic mix of sounds and beats of U.S west coast hip hop and African origin with R&B and dancehall chapters.  His words are his messages, thoughts and inspirations on the tribulations and exhulations of life and love. With God at the forefront, his words pierce the spirit within us all to rise and become all that we have been made to be.

mbiraspirit is following