Andheri comes alive tonight with a taste of Zimbabwean and South American sounds

Andheri is going to come alive with the beats of African percussion instruments and peppy Afro jazz sounds, thanks to the Blessing Chimanga Quartet. Led by 27-year-old Blessing Chimanga (on marimba and vocals), the Zimbabwean quartet features Elisha Zimbeva (keyboards and vocals), Blessing Muparutsa (drums and vocals) and Carmen Hwarari (mbira, vocals and recorder).

Jazz it up
You can expect original Afro Jazz compositions sung to African instruments, and tones of Latin American music, too. "All of us have a serious jazz background, from our learning of instruments, and this has a big influence in defining the sound of our band. Apart from Afro jazz, my love for Latino and South American vibes also finds its way into the band's sound," says Chimanga. The group, which has performed in over 20 countries, sings in Shona and Ndebele (Zimbabwean languages), in addition to English.

Language no bar
Chimanga feels language isn't a barrier when it comes to their performances. "It's best to engage the audience by teaching them the language. We also explain the meaning of the song before we sing it." Chimanga, who specialised in percussion instruments, is fascinated by the tabla, and is keen to add it to his set of instruments on stage in the future.

He has collaborated with the Violin Sisters (M Lalitha and M Nandini) from Chennai, and has also composed a song in Shona, titled Friendship, with musician Vasanth Mohanraj.
Chimanga is inspired by African sounds. "The marimba sound from the southern part of Africa, for instance, is truly inspiring." Apart from the gig, the group looks forward to zooming around the city in autorickshaws and meeting Mumbaikars.

On tonight, 9 pm
At The Stables, Marol, Andheri East.
Call 8291847082
Free

Around the world
Blessing Chimanga, who is currently recording his third album, represented Zimbabwe at the One Beat Music Exchange Program in the USA in 2014.
og on to goo.gl/65twPp to view Chimanga's performance at Global Isai Festival in Chennai, 2016.