adminThe six-member outfit, which broke into the international world music charts with only their second album Rising Tides, is expected to tantalise Bulawayo with their soothing , electrifying Afro-fusion beats.
In an interview, director of the Intwasa Festival koBulawayo, Raisedon Baya,said the internationally travelled group would be among the festival highlights this year.
“They are one of the highlights of the festival and the Bulawayo audience will have an opportunity to sample their songs as it will mark their maiden performance in the city,” said Baya.
He said one of the reasons why they decided to invite the group to Bulawayo was its multi-cultural aspect.
“Mukoomba’s music touches across all tribes but above all we see them as representing the Tonga culture which is one of the important cultures in the country,” he said.
The group is on a European tour.
Mokoomba was formed in 2008 by the late Alfred Mjimba, a legendary Tonga guitarist, as a feeder to his band, Koomboka. Ever since being discovered by the Music Crossroads Inter-regional Festival in 2008, Mokoomba have not looked back.
After recording their debut album Kweseka (Drifting Ahead) in 2009, the group had a highly successful European tour between October and November the same year.
Four years later, after an African tour, two European tours and a string of collaborations with top DJs like Gregor Salto, the sextet are now seasoned professionals asserting their versatility and musicianship with urgency and an imperative to be heard by all.
The group has performed in big European Festivals in countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, Norway and Austria. Regionally, the group has toured Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi. It has also featured at the Harare International Festival of the Arts.
Mokoomba are well-known for their electrifying blend of Afro-fusion and tantalising traditional Tonga rhythms.
This exciting Tonga group from Binga certainly has a unique sound rooted in Tonga tradition and promises to take the world of music by storm.
The band mixes a number of indigenous languages such as Luvale, Nyanja, Mbunda, and Chokwe which are part of the Tonga dialect.
The group fuses modern instruments and Tonga traditional instruments like jemba and the bell to create tantalising and danceable traditional rhythms.
Popular hits from the group are Umvundla and Mese Mese, which is making waves on the international dance music charts.
In their work the group has collaborated with Mano Gallo from Belgium and the popular Dutch house producer Gregor Salto.
The group is made of six members: Mathias Muzaza who is the lead vocalist; Trustworth Samende, lead guitarist; Ndaba Costa Moyo, drums; Miti Mugande, percussion; MacDonald Moyo, keyboard and Abundance Mutori, who plays the bass guitar.
Online Reporter