Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Zimbabwe

Birth

:

1943

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Dumisani Maraire was a Zimbabwean musician and composer who is best known for his contributions to the development of traditional African music. Born on December 28, 1944, in Chakohwa Village, Zimbabwe, Maraire grew up in a musical family. His father, Mondrek Muchena, was a renowned mbira player, and his mother, Chaminuka, was a singer and dancer. Maraire began playing the mbira, a traditional African instrument, at a young age. He was also exposed to other traditional African instruments such as the ngoma, a drum, and the hosho, a rattle. Maraire's father was his primary teacher, and he learned to play the mbira by listening to his father's performances and practicing on his own. In 1968, Maraire moved to the United States to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. He continued to play the mbira and other traditional African instruments while studying music theory and composition. Maraire was one of the first African musicians to study at a Western university, and his presence helped to introduce traditional African music to the Western world. During his time at the University of Washington, Maraire formed the group the African Music Ensemble. The group performed traditional African music and also incorporated Western instruments such as the guitar and saxophone. The African Music Ensemble became popular in the Seattle area and helped to spread awareness of traditional African music. In 1971, Maraire returned to Zimbabwe to study traditional African music further. He spent several years traveling throughout Zimbabwe and other African countries, learning about different musical traditions and instruments. Maraire also began to compose his own music, blending traditional African rhythms and melodies with Western harmonies and instrumentation. In 1979, Maraire returned to the United States and settled in Seattle. He continued to perform and compose music, and he also began to teach traditional African music to students at the University of Washington. Maraire's teaching helped to inspire a new generation of musicians who were interested in traditional African music. One of Maraire's most significant contributions to music was his development of the marimba. The marimba is a traditional African instrument that is similar to a xylophone. Maraire adapted the marimba to include Western tuning and harmonies, creating a new instrument that could be used in both traditional African and Western music. Maraire's compositions for the marimba and other traditional African instruments were groundbreaking. He blended traditional African rhythms and melodies with Western harmonies and instrumentation, creating a unique sound that was both familiar and new. Maraire's music was also notable for its use of improvisation, which was a common feature of traditional African music. One of Maraire's most famous compositions is "Nyungwe," which was written for the marimba and other traditional African instruments. The piece is based on a traditional Zimbabwean melody and features complex rhythms and harmonies. "Nyungwe" has become a staple of the marimba repertoire and is often performed by both traditional African and Western musicians. Maraire continued to perform and compose music until his death in 1999. His legacy lives on through his compositions, his teaching, and his influence on the development of traditional African music.

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