Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
LEGENDARY jazz and Marabi musician Jeys Marabini and his Kozekulunge Band are making a strong impression on the European music scene, winning over audiences during their month-long tour of Germany and Austria.
The veteran musician and his band left Bulawayo in late July for the tour, which has seen them perform at a series of concerts while also conducting workshops designed to promote Zimbabwean music, traditions and culture.
The tour has provided the group with an opportunity to introduce their distinctive sound to new audiences while strengthening cultural links between Zimbabwe and Europe.
Speaking from Austria, Marabini said the response to their performances had been overwhelming, with audiences turning out in large numbers.
“The reception has been amazing, as people have been flooding our shows. The response is overwhelming. It’s a sign that we should do more of these events,” he said.
Marabini said the band had already performed in Pforzheim, Germany, before heading to Linz, Austria, where they staged five shows.
“We have performed in Germany, in a city called Pforzheim, where we had one show. In Linz, Austria, we have had five shows and today we are going to Germany for another performance in a city called Passau.
“Tomorrow we are going to Vienna, the capital of Austria, where we will have workshops from Thursday. We finish our tour with a big festival in Vienna called Africa Tage on August 19,” he said.
Beyond the concerts, the workshops have allowed Marabini and his band to engage directly with communities, sharing Zimbabwean musical traditions and creating opportunities for cultural exchange. – Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
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