Staircase Sounds: Zhambai Trio | Kids Out and About Vancouver

Staircase Sounds: Zhambai Trio

The Staircase Sounds concert series continues with the complex and rich musical traditions of Zimbabwe. We're thrilled to host the Zhambai Trio as they perform one of the world's most unique and beautiful musical practices. Zhambai Trio plays traditional and original music from Zimbabwe and features ancient instruments such as the mbira (“thumb piano”), hosho (maracas), and ngoma (hand drums) as well as the more contemporary Zimbabwean marimba. The haunting yet uplifting sound of the interlocking rhythms and melodies of the mbira combined with the lilting quality of the vocals are at once stimulating and relaxing. This event is part of our 2025 Black History Month programming.

Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.

Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa (mbira, marimba, vocals) Playing the mbira since childhood in his native Zimbabwe, he is perhaps the best mbira player in Canada today. He has toured across Europe, West Africa, Southern Africa and across Canada performing with artists such as Chiwoniso Maraire, Cesaria Evora, and Vusi Mahlasela. Kurai also leads the band ZimbaMoto which plays music in the same vein as Zhambai, but electrified and with drumset, bass, and guitar.

Curtis Andrews (mbira, marimba, vocals) A percussionist, composer, and teacher whose on-going journey has taken him from the villages of West Africa to the metropolises of South India. Based in Vancouver, he performs a wide variety of musical styles while focusing his energy on the Zhambai Trio & ZimbaMoto. He has released his own album of original “world jazz” and is currently creating a new South Indian inspired trio featuring mrdangam, guitar and clarinet.

Israel "Toto" Berriel (percussion, vocals) Originally from Matanzas, Cuba, Israel "Toto" Berriel is a traditional Afro-Cuban percussionist, vocalist, and educator. For twelve years, he played with the world’s best-known Rumba group, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. Toto has toured worldwide and made Canada his home since 2001, where he plays music with the Tanga Group, Candela, and Kokoma, while also teaching private workshops.

-

This program is generously supported by VPL Foundation donors


*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.

Location:

350 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, V6B 6B1
Canada

Phone:

(604) 331-3603
Contact name: 
General Information
Email address: 
Dates: 
02/01/2025
Time: 
12-1 pm
Price: 
FREE

Ages

Teenagers Adults & kids together