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Beni ya Kingi (Znz) Let freedom ring! Zanzibar’s hottest brass band plays popular wedding music with a strong focus on rhythm and dance, and audience participation. Beni ya Kingi borrows choruses from the latest taarab hits and arranges them in extended exuberant medleys - spirit of carnival and Mardi Gras is ever present, as you will see if you join the festival parade on Sat 30 - an experience not to be missed! RECORDINGS: ‘Beni ya Kingi’ (dizim records 2000) Bi Kidude + Msondo Trio (Znz) Bi Kidude is an institution on Zanzibar, and remains East Africa’s greatest living musical legend. The doyenne of Zanzibar taarab, she also plays other musical styles including more ngoma-based unyago and msondo. Kidude started out her musical career in the 1920s, and learnt many of her songs with Siti bint Saad.As Bi Fatuma binti Baraka (Bi Kidude) herself says, “How can I stop singing? When I sing I feel like a 14-year old girl again.” This intriguing and inspiring woman is a repository and leading exponent of Swahili culture and we are honored to host her once again at the festival. RECORDINGS: ‘Zanzibar’ (Retro Africa) Black Roots Culture Group (Znz) Makombora, leader of Black Roots, is one of this island’s most famous actors and is known and loved throughout Zanzibar. His theatre group appears regularly on TVZ and portray the universal daily struggles of life. back to top Chronic G (Znz) This young local artist started out a few years ago playing hip hop but is now incorporating influences from his roots. Not to be outdone by Cool Para’s taa-rap styles, as showcased at last year’s festival; Chronic G is another musical pioneer fusing rap with msewe, a traditional dance from Pemba.Baptised is a new musical phenomenon - “rapsewe” - watch it grow! Culture Musical Club (Mila na Utamaduni)(Znz) Culture Musical Club is not only the largest, but also one of the most prolific and successful taarab orchestras of Zanzibar and they present taarab Swahili style at its best. In addition to innumerable performances in Stone town, villages of Zanzibar and on Tanzania mainland, this group has toured internationally with outstanding success and has won over audiences in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the Arab Emirates and Reunion with their lush sound and utterly dedicated performance of songs and instrumental solos. They perform new compositions on a regular basis and have developed a distinct and uniquely Swahili style. Their CD-releases Spices of Zanzibar (Network Medien, 1996) Bashraf (Dizim, 2000) or The Music of Zanzibar (Globestyle, 1988) have made the name Culture Musical Club known to audiences throughout the world so that rehearsals in their club house have become somewhat of a tourist attraction. This, however, does not interfere with the first and foremost aim of their social gathering – namely to enjoy music and to be moved by it. So sit back and let the rich orchestral sounds, the inventive songs and the joy of the music making transport you! back to top East African Melody (Znz) Leading exponents of the so-called modern taarab phenomenon, Melody never fail to upset the purists with their ‘rusha roho’ musical style and mipasho lyrics, breaking all the taboos of subtlety which is usually present in more traditional taarab music. In constant demand throughout East Africa and the Gulf States where they often perform, cassette sales of this group still outstrip the market for all other local artists. G-Clef Taarab Band (Znz) Moh’d Issa Haji, named after his famous musician-father “Matona”, formed his band G-Clef in 1995 and they have since earned their merits not only by their unrelenting performance schedule, but also their vast experience in different styles and different venues. First and foremost G-Clef plays Taarab, or the modern version of this style, which is also called Rusha Roho, and they are one of the most sought-after bands for entertainment at weddings. The excellent singers know their repertoire and they know how to move an audience. This is music to dance or to cry to (or both at the same time) - they have got all facets of the spectrum down. If you want to hear taarab with a twinge of bohemian atmosphere, don’t miss G-Clef! Imani Ngoma Troupe (Znz) -Imani Dancing Troupe aims include reviving and developing some of the many ngoma and dance styles from Zanzibar and Tanzania, and to promote them at an international level. As well as using ngoma (drums) in most of their performances, they also use other local instruments, including zumari (horn), violin and sanduku (tea-chest bass) for specific songs. Among the dances the group play are msewe, kyaso and gonga from Pemba island, tukulanga from Unguja island, lizombe from Ruvuma region, mangaka and sindimba from southern regions of Tanzania. I slanders Band (Znz/Tz) -One of Zanzibar’s most popular bands, playing the African traditional music with zouk and rumba music influences thus creating it’s unique style. Being inspired by great African musicians like Manu Dibango and Yossou Ndour, the group aimed to achieve international popularity through their music style and expected to release their first album later this year, after recording their 1st single “Tamasha”, which was the festival theme song last year. back to top Kikundi cha Taifa cha Taarab (Znz) Mahfudhi Ali Mahfudhi & Kipepeo (Znz) Mahfudh, originally from Zanzibar, spent most of his life in USA and UK, where he is better known as Kamilo of group Kipepeo (Butterfly) which has been making in roads in the rock and indie charts. For the Festival he presents a special production, with artists from Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania. Since returning to Zanzibar last year, Mahfudh’s poetical and liberating music has been greatly inspired by everyday life, friendships, feelings, emotion and political happenings. Montel Phoster (Znz) Nadi Ikhwan Safaa (Malindi Taarab) Znz Founded in 1905, this orchestra can probably trace its roots back further than any other orchestra in Africa. Every known musician from Zanzibar has at some point or other performed or played with “Malindi” (as they are also affectionately known) and recently they are enjoying a strong revival in popularity with the local population. Celebrating their 96th birthday at this year’s festival, this gathering of hobby musicians from all walks of life is going strong and we can expect a vibrant performance brimming with life - no senile weaknesses here! This is taarab in its original beauty – delicate poetry, outstanding vocal performances, which reveal in their elaborate ornamentation the close connection to their Arabic roots, and finely chiselled instrumentals. Love, companionship, friendship, the enjoyment of music, the pains of sadness, all find expression in the moving performances and the sweet sounds of their orchestral arrangements. Idi Farhan, one of their oldest and most respected members sums it up: “It goes to the mind and then to the heart and to the blood and you feel happy at the end.” RECORDINGS: ‘Music of Zanzibar, Vol 2 : Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club’ (Globestyle, 1988) and many local cassette releases New Academy Culture Group (Znz) New Generation Band (Znz) “N.G.B. presents African dance and drums” - performing a variety of Tanzanian traditional styles, including masewe, ngokwa, gonga, sindimba, boso, chikocha, mringe and more. Nordic Black Theatre (Africa/Norway) The Nordic Black Theatre is a multicultural group of talented artists, from many countries including Uganda, Tanzania, the Seychelles, Guinea, Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia, all based in Norway. They will be presenting a musical theatre production, Bob Marley Uprising in Babylon By Bus, written by Sigbjorn Nedland and directed by Cliff A Moustache, exploring the worldwide phenomenon and legacy of Bob Marley and his music. The audience is invited on a trip around the world, to situations and locations where Bob Marley’s influence, twenty years after his passing on, is still strongly felt today. Pafmeka Ngoma Troupe (Boha) (Znz) One of the big hits of last year’s Festival, Pafmeka give a storming repertoire, showcasing a variety of ngoma and dance styles from mainland Tanzania as well as the islands of Unguja and Pemba (Zanzibar) Qasida Swiffat Nabawiyyat (Znz) Pafmeka Ngoma Troupe (Boha) (Znz) One of the big hits of last year’s Festival, Pafmeka give a storming repertoire, showcasing a variety of ngoma and dance styles from mainland Tanzania as well as the islands of Unguja and Pemba (Zanzibar) Qasida Swiffat Nabawiyyat (Znz) Sina Chuki Kidumbak (Znz) Makame Faki’s Sina Chuki Group are currently at the forefront in creativity with Zanzibar’s most popular roots based music. The kidumbak style is like a stripped down version of taarab, more percussive and dance-based, and set ready to explode on the international market Stone Town Youth Band (Znz) This group has been playing extensively in Zanzibar, aiming to raise awareness with the younger generation and educate about the importance of education, problems of unemployment, prevention against HIV/AIDS, etc. They have been playing in various events, at schools and colleges, youth seminars and at the Stone Town Youth Centre, their home base which is open for all. Super Star Dancing Group (Znz) Super Star give you an opportunity to check out a variety of ngoma and dance styles from Zanzibar, mainland Tanzania and Mozambique, including kibati, msewe, kirumbizi, oringe, sindimba. Zingatia Sihi Moyo (Znz)-Zingatia is another talented and versatile group from Zanzibar, that mostly performs theatre arts. Established in 1992, they have been composing and performing stage plays and dramas and often featured on TV Zanzibar.