Womad

Mbira Queens featuring Zuzana Novak

Described by fRoots as "the world's best Anglo-Czech woman mbira player", Zuzana Novak might find herself in a league of one but that doesn't downplay her quite extraordinary feel for the Zimbabwean thumb piano. The former tree surgeon discovered the instrument seven years ago and hasn't looked back since, making pilgrimages to Zimbabwe to further deepen her connection to this centuries-old sound. The Mbira Queens is her new trio. Perhaps surprisingly, the other two Queens answer to the names of Manuel and David.