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Free preview of Bongo Love's first CD "Afrocoustics"!
Bongo Love video - 8 minutes long
Press Release: May 2008
Bongo Love: Press Release
Contact: Hannah Wahl, Tour Manager
416 4th St. / Langley, WA 98260
206.853.6531 / bongolovemusic@gmail.com
From Zimbabwe to Us… with Bongo Love
Bongo Love: Press Release
From Zimbabwe with Love
As an emerging musical force, this dynamic quad has fused styles from all over the world with the sounds of their native Zimbabwe to create a unique and utterly infectious music. As they combine theatrics, dance and impromptu call-and-response vocal styles, listeners are drawn right in, creating a wonderful collaboration of performer and audience. This youthful, beautifully connected group of musicians caters to people with an interest in traditional music, jazz, reggae, pop or just a night of great dancing.
Bongo Love utilizes instruments native to their culture, unlike many well-known African pop musicians who have developed their style on instruments new to the continent. The four have taken marimba and mbira music an entirely different direction, calling upon traditions from around the world to produce a contemporary groove all their own. The rhythms and harmonies all four produce reveal a deep sense of artistry and musicianship cultivated over years of living and playing together. "We have shared the same passion for music since we were kids," says lead singer John Mambira. "We survive through this music."
Over the last couple of years, Bongo Love has soared in popularity and celebrity at home and abroad. After traveling to perform and teach in Mozambique, Sweden and the Dominican Republic they toured the United States in the summer of 2007, playing clubs and festivals and instructing marimba, mbira, drumming and singing. In Seattle they played at the Northwest Folklife Festival, in Santa Fe they taught at Zimbabwean music extravaganza Camp Tumbuka and in New York they were guest artists for three sold out shows at Madison Square Garden.
While the political situation in Zimbabwe rages on, the members of Bongo Love continue to share a message of love and hope through their heart-warming music. They will be back in the United States from the end of May until September, teaching and performing in Boston, Seattle, Whidbey Island, Santa Cruz, Eugene and Boulder.
Bongo Love's first CD, Afro-Coustics, was well-received in 2006 and they are currently working to complete their second CD, Rwendo Rwedu ("Our Journey").
For more information on Bongo Love, e-mail bongolovemusic@gmail.com or
visit their website at www.bongolovemusic.com for music clips and photos.
