Featured Musicians
Othnell Mangoma Moyo
Othnell Moyo, from Harare - ZW, also known as "Mangoma" (translating as “drums" in Shona and “the one with music" in isiNdebele), is an internationally touring artist, an ethnomusicological researcher and preservation activist deeply rooted in Zimbabwean culture, who makes 75% of his own instruments. Trained as a traditional dancer, actor and musician he has studied and acquired knowledge of a range of traditional instruments, musical styles and rhythms, as well as global and contemporary ones. He performs while advocating for the significance of education and preservation of his country's rich cultural history, which was destroyed under colonial reign. To learn more, visit www.othnellmangoma.com.
Zivanai Masango
Zivanai, from Broomfield - CO - US, is an award-winning musical artist and veteran of the industry both in Zimbabwe and the US. He's worked with the cream of Zimbabwean music including Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Tanga WeKwa Sando, Victor Kunonga, Machanic Manyeruke and Fungisai Zvakavapano. Internationally, he's played with artists such as The String Cheese Incident, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Cliff, and Habib Koite, Zivanai’s Basement Studio Sessions, where he produces covers of yesteryear hits from Zimbabwe and remakes of his own originals, have been a wild sensation on social media and have reinforced him as one of the leading Zimbabwean musical artists of the day.
Abel Mafuleni
It’s inevitable anticipating a grand performance from Abel as he seemingly beyond all weather and doubt always carrying a charismatic feel and hyper energy in his interpersonal skills accompanied with compassion and stage experience he’s always delivering an extensive glamorous display as he plays, dance and sing in a well-coordinated manner.
True worth is in being, not in seeming, in doing each day that goes by some little good or anything that adhere to one’s successes, not in dreaming. The name that Abel bares presently was begotten by passion, of what things ought to be not their current core. Regardless of tantamount facts growing up in swamp regarded communities in Zimbabwe, Abel grew to be an inspiration amongst local folks due to his successes, and is focused in passing the acquired knowledge as he generously volunteers in conducting free lessons to those with interest to traditional music.
For the past two years he has traveled to Costa Rica, Zambia and Spain. During those travels he performed and taught mbira classes. While in Costa Rica, the people really loved his teaching and he got the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Playing for Change. Click the button below to listen.
“Don’t Rush Your Brain!”
Napoleon Kudzie Jambwa
Rubatano Center had the exciting opportunity, in the summer of 2023, to have a featured musician visiting from Zimbabwe, Kudzie Jambwa! We got to experience our much loved Zimbabwean music through his eyes during his first visit to Whidbey Island. We took classes, we danced together, we jammed, we dined on delicious Sadza and we truly had a wonderful time. We sincerely hope he experienced our warm embrace and grateful hearts.
Kwaziwai, my name is Kudzie Jambwa. I was born and bred in the high density suburb of Highfield in Harare. I grew up in a family with a mbira background because my father was a mbira player, and was taught my first song ("Karigamombe") by my father while sitting on his lap at the age of five years. Then I taught myself how to play marimba, ngoma, hosho etc. I have added modern instruments to my resumé as well. I do dancing from African to Western dances.
Rubatano Center - Dana Moffett marimba@whidbey.com 360.661.6187
