ALBERT NYATHI (Vocals & Words) + Maqhinga Radebe (Acoustic Guitar & Vocals) with Peter Manzenza (Bass Guitar & Keyboard) , Siphatiswe Moyo & Caroline Nyathi (Vocals & Dance) Chipofya David Thomas Dimingo (Guitar), Ramsay Kasawaya (Vocals & Dance) & Adam Muchenje (Drums).........................................................................
ALBERT NYATHI performing an impromptu poem on being presented to NELSON MANDELA IN Harare.Zimbambwe...
The video below is ALBERT NYATHI at DURBAN POETRY FESTIVAL explaining , talking about and performing a 'praise poem' about King Mzilikazi entitled uMzilikazi.........(the term Imbongi means Praise Poet)......
Influences
Oliver Mtukudzi, Lovemore Majaivana, Angelique Kidjo, Thomas Mapfumo, Bob Marley, Bhundu Boys, Four Brothers, Salif Keita, Youssou N'Dour, Baba Maal, Real Sounds of Africa, Dave Brubeck, Miriam Makeba, Lucky Dube and lots more..
ALBERT NYATHI & IMBONGI Live@ Blues On The Farm UK Tour June 2008
Red Hot African Hi-Life & Township Jive - 8-piece Dance Band.......................
Live and Direct from Zimbabwe
ALBERT NYATHI & IMBONGI featuring MAQHINGA RADEBE
(South Africa’s King of Maskanda Guitar)
Availability:UK/Europe June 1 – July 31 2008
For Festivals, Outdoor Concerts,Theatres & Arts Centres
After four sensational visits to Europe by the legendary Imbongi & Albert Nyathi from Bulawayo and Harare, Zimbabwe, we are delighted to confirm that the band will be undertaking an extensive World Tour in 2008, embracing Southern Africa ,the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and the rest of the World.They are joined on this tour by the stunning Maqhinga Radebe on vocals and acoustic guitar.
ALBERT NYATHI- Zimbawe's Premier Permance Poet
The group Imbongi is fronted by the charismatic personality of Zimbabwe's premier performance poet Albert Nyathi. Born in Gwanda in Matabeleland, Nyathi has won several awards and has been referred to as the "voice of the voiceless". Growing up in Zimbabwe's second largest city , Bulawayo, he
has performed solo in a number of countries including a special performance for Nelson Mandela in 1996. In July 1999 , he was chosen to lead the funeral procession of the late Zimbabwean hero, Father Zimbabwe ,Joshua Nkomo. The whole country was in tears as he consoled the people with his soothing and therapeutic poetry .
BELOW :SOME RARE EARLY FOOTAGE OF A YOUNG ALBERT NYATHI
PERFORMING the song SENZENI NA WITH IMBONGI.........still meaningful..still strong....Peace..
ALBERT NYATHI -Zimbabwe’s Premier Performance & Dub Poet.
The band are fronted by the charismatic Albert Nyathi, the premier performance and dub poet within his country. On their first visit to this country they impressed WOMAD so much ,that they were promptly booked to appear at the WOMAD Festival in Reading 2000 and Sicily 2001 and were invited back again in 2004 .In 2005 they toured here extensively again delighting festivals everywhere they played. .
IMBONGI- THE LIVE EXPERIENCE
In 1999 the group was chosen to prepresent the African continent in the Hawaii Millennium Young People's Congress , for which htrey recieved rave reviews.Exciting and vibrant live on-stage, the band consists of 8 multi-talented male and female singers ,musicians and dancers. As temperature -raisers they are nothing short of spectacular!
FESTIVALS PLAYED
In addition to their stunning performance at WOMAD Reading ,Imbongi headlined the following festivals:Larmer Tree Music Festival, Trowbridge, Musicport, National Theatre,London, Canterbury, St Ives, Hull Jazz , Bridgnorth, Nottingham Riverside, Belfast Feile, Broadstairs, World Music In The Bowl, also performing at Glastonbury Theatre Stage, Shambala, Lichfield The Fuse, Roots On The Rox Fest,Bognor, Moor World Music & Cinderford Fringe.
For Bookings ~ Crispin Thomas /CTM
UK/Europe/Rest of World Tour Agent
Tel 00 44 (0) 1453 757376 & M 00 44 (0) 7837 798463
ctm@crispinthomas.orangehome.co.uk ww.ctmuk.com/imbongi
Absolutely loved the music and poetry at Kingstone High school a few weeks ago. Hope it went well at Hereford Courtyard theatre. Much love to you and all of SA xx
dear albert & imbongo,it is my total pleasure to have you as a friend.i was sent an album of your music from a friend in zim about three years ago and me and my family hav..nt stopped playing it.you speak so much truth and give so much insight into the human condition .lov the music like i lov the african pulse....one lov,jay
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