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This duet is out to exhibit how music cuts through cultural boundaries.
David Neerman, a British-French citizen, and Lansine Kouyathe, a Malian, are in the country for the first time to showcase their talent and instruments to local artistes and audiences.
Neerman plays the vibraphone and Kouyathe the balafon.
The balafon, an instrument developed in Mali, which is called a marimba in Southern Africa, and the vibraphone is the same as a xylophone. It was developed in Europe.
On Wednesday night the two performed at Bulawayo’s Zimbabwe Academy of Music, where they mesmerised the audience with their fusion of African and European sounds.
Speaking after their one-hour performance, Neerman said they were excited to be in the country and to perform at Hifa.
“This is the first time that we have been in the country and we are excited to perform at Hifa. We decided to come to Bulawayo to showcase what we have in store,” he said.
Neerman said they have travelled to many parts of the world and have found that good music is appreciated wherever it is played.
“We have had a great reception from audiences wherever we travelled. This shows that music is a universal language that is understood by everyone,” he said.
Neerman said the duet has done two albums, Kangaba, which is the name of a village in Mali and Sky Scrappers and Deities.
His colleague Kouyathe said he started playing the balafon at a tender age.
He said he has played with world-renowned Malian singer Salif Keita and Dee Dee Bridgewater.
“During my career I have played for Salif Keita and Dee Dee Bridgewater. My mother was a popular Malian singer, Siramory Diabate and my father was also a balafon player ,” said Kouyathe.
He played for the Mali National Ensemble at the age of 12.
Neerman and Kouyathe met 10 years ago in Paris and have been playing together ever since.
Online Reporter