ABSTRACT: 01:20 Allison introduces Thomas Mapfumo from Zimbabwe, at his first Jazz Fest performance with Chartwell Dutiro playing the mbira, and Gabou Mendy from WWOZ and the Jazz and Heritage Board helping with the interview. Based on the tradition of the Shona people, Mapfumo’s music is considered key to the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe and to preserving their culture. 04:30 Mapfumo talks about his musical path imitating popular stars like Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding to finding his own musical identity, music born out of the liberation war. Started writing his own music, helping others find their cultural identity. 08:55 Mapfumo says his music was “subversive, political, militant” in the eyes of the government. He was put in detention for three months, questioned about his music which he claimed was traditional. Released, he played at a rally. In the end Zimbabwe got its independence. He continues t write and play music of the people. 12:55 Demonstration – Miner plays a song from Chimurenga Singles, from 1976-1980. 17:05 Miner asks about an earlier band, the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band, playing afro rock music, fusing African and western. 18:30 Gabou Mendy asks about the effect of the music on audiences who lack the cultural context. How do you adapt the music to make it accessible without compromising the tradition? Mapfumo says music is music. They have to explain it to audiences. 21:20 Mendy asks Dutiro about the west African tradition of passing on the playing of instruments from father to son. Dutiro learned the mbira from his grandfather. He showed it to the audience and explained it is like a piano with three scales on it. You use three fingers to play it and can tune it to the other instruments. 24:20 Mendy mentions the film “Spirit of the People” about mbira music which features Mapfumo. Demonstration of the mbira. Invites audience member to come up and try it.
