WOMAD

Chartwell Dutiro

From Zimbabwe

Chartwell Dutiro is a master mbira player from Zimbabwe whose interweaving rhythms and inspired singing has won the hearts of audiences all around the world. From the age of 4 Chartwell often played through the night for spirit mediums in Bira ceremonies. This is the music that calls the spirits to offer guidance in day-to-day life, the raw sound that has been calling the ancestors for centuries. After moving to Harare in his teens, Chartwell joined the Salvation Army band where he learnt to played saxophone. Later on Chartwell toured the world for eight years as mbira player and Saxophonist with internationally acclaimed Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited. As well as reading for a Mphil at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), Chartwell currently leads his own group in the UK, Spirit Talk Mbira who released their first album in 1997. Chartwell is a regular performer and workshop leader at WOMAD festivals and has taught for many years at universities and colleges. In May of 2001 he toured with the WOMAD ‘Heart of Africa’ UK tour, with the Drummers of Burundi and Tananas. In 2002 he toured with WOMAD to Singapore, Australia, Sicily and the Canary Islands. Most recently Chartwell performed with WOMAD at the Live 8 concert, Africa Calling at the Eden Project in Cornwall.