When the curtain, or at least a signal from producer Gary Mandell, goes up at 7 o’clock this evening, the attraction in Week Two of the summer concert series not only will be vastly different from Opening Night but considerably more dramatic.
In the Dale Jones Courtyard at City Hall, Mr. Mandell has billed the act as “the sounds of World Music from Africa by Peter Mawanga and the Amaravi Movement,” all native Africans
Knowing the backstory on Mr. Mawanga may bring a higher meaning to the two-hour concert for a group making its debut appearance.
This nine-year-old group’s unique genre is described as “fusing the rock outfit of drums-bass-guitar with the traditional sounds of Malawi’s marimba, thumb piano and percussion.”
Here is the story that is told of Mr. Mawanga, founder of the Amaravi Movement:
“After recording two solo projects he traveled across Malawi, providing free musical training to orphans and other underprivileged children.
“In the process, he became acquainted with the rich and diversely traditional methods of creating music by using local ethnic instruments.
“Inspired to continue creating outstanding music with young people, Mr. Mawanga formed his own band. In 2007, the Amaravi Movement was born.
“It is a team of musician a better understanding of Nyanja music, the traditional music of influences from the shores of Lake Malawi.
“Incorporating Malawian traditional rhythms performed at rituals and traditional ceremonies on the nylon guitar, mangolongondo (marimba) rhythms and singing in Chichewa (Malawian national language), Mr. Mawanga and Amaravi are able to speak both musically and lyrically directly to the modern world.
“Newly found Afro-vibes fusions have given birth to Nyanja music. Band members come from different cultures, and their diverse upbringing is reflected in the performance of their music.
“The Amaravi Movement is Mr. Mawanga, lead singer and founder. Alfred Sitolo Nkhoma on bass guitar. Faith Mussa on lead guitar. Dryson Mwimba on drums. Mavuto Million on Mangolongondo (Marimba), Marlyn Chakwera, the only female member of the band, is a soulful vocalist also plays Chisekese (Malawian shaker).”
