Music

A marimba ensemble performance is dramatic musically and visually. Kutandara works with a variety of instruments, songs, and dances from around the world. Primary inspiration and influence comes from the Shona peoples of southern Africa.

A Shona proverb states "If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance." Kutandara takes this motto to the max, teaching audiences a song, dance step, or rhythm accompaniment at every show. The result is an all-ages participatory performance guaranteed to delight the eyes, ears, feet and heart.

The music itself comes from both traditional and contemporary composers working in an unbroken musical tradition going back well over 1000 years. Often two or more mbira and/or marimbas are played together to create the complex interlocking melodies and rhythms known as “hocketing.” Western ears familiar with gospel and jazz will recognize the roots of those forms in the call-and-response and improvisational structure of many of the pieces Kutandara performs.