WOMAD

Imbizo

From Zimbabwe

Imbizo (Zimbabwe)Heinz helped to turn the glorious choral music of black Southern Africa into a worldwide attraction but the story goes deeper than baked beans and Ladysmith Black Mambazo et al. Imbizo are a ten man a cappella performance group from Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo. Their gorgeous vocals and athletic, nay even balletic dancing draws on the traditional Zulu roots of Matabeleland but explores styles and subjects that resonate in the lives of modern Zimbabweans. Their live shows are a passport to pure pleasure as they satiate the ear with note perfect harmonies and dazzle the eyes with fluid and superbly choreographed yet passionately enticing movements. The group have been grafting their art like tomorrow never knows ever since their inception in 1991. They have toured all over southern Africa and Europe and their CD on the WOMAD Select label is a tribute to the immense dedication of the band and their determination to forge such a unified and beautifully blended vocal style. BBC Radio 1’s Jo Wylie reckons that Imbizo were one of the highlights of Glastonbury last year and anybody who has witnessed the group live would be foolish to quibble. It’s a shame that our Jo doesn’t play more of their music, or indeed any African music, on her show but that, dear readers, is another struggle altogether. Biography by Andy Morgan, June 2001Short biographyNine-piece a cappella group from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, Imbizo's young and vibrant imbube style has made a huge mark on audiences worldwide over the last year, and have an exiting new album out on WOMAD Select.May 20011999 biography:Nine-man a cappella group from Zimbabwe making their first visit to the UK – indeed, their first tour outside Africa. Imbizo come from Bulawayo, the south-western town which is also home to Black Umfolozi. They’re a young group who have picked up a hatful of prizes at festivals in Zimbabwe and South Africa for their vibrant take on the imbube style.