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UW Ethnomusicology Archives concert recordings (audio): Ephat Mujuru, 1983-02-26
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
- Title
- UW Ethnomusicology Archives concert recordings (audio): Ephat Mujuru
- Dates
- 1983-02-261983-02-261983-02-26
- Quantity
- 3 items : OT - 3 reels (7 1/2 ips, 2 tr. stereo, 7"); WT - 3 reels (7 1/2 ips, 2 tr. stereo, 10"); Duration: 1:30:39
- Collection Number
- 1983005
- Summary
- Recorded in the University of Washington Music Auditorium 2/26/83.
- Repository
-
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Unrestricted: collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Ephat Mujuru was a prolific composer and storyteller, and though he was able to play all of the five different types of Shona mbira. his focus was playing the 22-25 key mbira dzavadzimu (mbira of the ancestors). Ephat was one of the first Shona performers to amplify his mbira with a transducer microphone. Playing the mbira outside of its deze (a hollowed-out calabash used as a resonator to naturally amplify the gentle sounds of the mbira) Ephat can be seen romping about the stage tethered to his wired mike in home videos taken during this time.
In 1992. Mujuru's first electric recording Hapana Mutorwa made it all the way to the top of the charts in Zimbabwe. In the late 1990s he recorded two releases for Music of the World. The first, Ancient Wisdom, was a solo acoustic recording featuring songs and fables from Zimbabwe, and the second was the well-received collaboration with Dumisani Maraire of the popular Shona Spirit, which is notable for both its traditional and original compositions. Ephat also recorded Journey of the Spirit during this time, but it has yet to be released.
On return trips to Zimbabwe he recorded a few successful pop albums with an electric version of Spirit of the People. His release in 2000 from ARC Music (U.K.), Masters of the African Mbira. features Ephat and Dumi in tracks recorded prior to Dumi's death. His most recent release in September 2001, Musiyano. recorded with Zimbabwean rumba group the Eden Boys, was an all-electric recording that got positive reviews in the Daily News in Zimbabwe. Elated, Ephat had a renewed sense of purpose and was looking forward to his time touring the U.S.
- The Beat; Los Angeles, Janet Planet
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Recorded by Lorraine Sakata, Dan Neuman, and Kay Norton with Nagra IVS, Neumann mics (KM 83)
Performance of songs and stories by Ephat Mujuru/mbira, voice.
Additional documentation in work tape log by Claire Jones, 12/93; song identification may not always agree with that by the artist.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Concerts
- Ethnomusicology
- Shona--Africa--Southern Africa
- Video recordings in ethnomusicology
Geographical Names
- Africa
- Seattle (Wash.)
- Zimbabwe
Form or Genre Terms
- Video recordings
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Mujuru, Ephat (performer)