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| Mokoomba returns from 5 Euro-nation tour |
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| News - The Book Cafe |
| Tuesday, 24 November 2009 07:55 |
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Wednesday 25 November 2009 The Book Café, Harare From 8pm Book café to host first Mokoomba gig Young Music Crossroads winners MOKOOMBA return to The Book Café on Wednesday 25 November 2009, the first show after their 5 Euro-nation tour in October and November, where they were warmly welcomed. Mokoomba originates from Victoria Falls and has an electrifying blend of modern Afro-pop fused with the unique inflections of traditional Tonga music. The name ‘Mokoomba’ stems from the deep respect that the Tonga people have for the Zambezi River, sighting it as a river of blessing and crossing it brings vibrant life to their music and culture. The six-piece outfit sings in ChiTonga, and comprises keyboard, guitar, bass and a dynamic showcase of Tonga percussion instruments like Tonga Jemba (drums), whistles and bells, and other Zimbabwean instruments. Mokoomba blends the distinct rhythms and music styles of the Tonga people of Zimbabwe with a West African flair. Pamberi Trust project officer Hector Rufaro Mugani, who is also a musician and student of music, said “They have managed to give a modern twist to Tonga traditional music culture, giving it a chance to survive in the new musical climate. Their stage performance is lively and colourful, vocals are excellent - they are just brilliant!” Mokoomba won the first prize for the 2008 inter-regional festival held in Malawi. The Music Crossroads Inter-Regional Festival is arguably one of the biggest youth festivals in Africa and Mokoomba having won the first prize they were given a privilege of getting the Europe tour. The band also won the “Africa unsigned auditions” project by UpToYouToo Foundation, an African arts development project. They spent a week in the Netherlands to record an album with Dutch DJ/ Producer Gregor Salto as part of a campaign against poverty in line with World Poverty Day. . In what was a dream-come-true, the group traveled between Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway and Spain to perform in front of huge, ecstatic crowds who were happy to finally witness the long awaited performance from this unique group of artistes. They had been denied the opportunity to tour Europe after visa bureaucracy forced the cancellation of their 8-country European Summer Tour (supported by the Swedish International Development Agency, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNESCO), but thanks to the ACCESS DENIED campaign, they finally succeeded. “The concert served as a powerful reminder why this work is of urgent importance - for a few hours, the Galician Cultural center was transformed into a Zimbabwean Cultural center. The artists teamed up with Excantina's chef to create a special and delicious Zimbabwean menu. Everyone was completely immersed in Zimbabwean discovery and appreciation,” reads the Zimbabwe Cross Roads website. It continues “…The crowd was composed of people of all ages. Mokoomba performed 2 sets during the event, the first attended primarily by the older generation of parents with young children, and the second attended by the younger generation who danced until the air hung thick with energy and rhythm!” Mokoomba overcame age and language barriers in Europe and touched the hearts of many. Mokoomba is back in Zimbabwe and scheduled to perform at The Book Café every Wednesday from 25 November until the end of December. The Book Café will be blazing hot every Wednesday. Come feel the Tonga energy. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Music Crossroads This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.music-crossroads.net |