 | | | Photo provided
| | | | | | Budd MacKenzie's passion periodically takes him to Afghanistan to help children and their families through his non-profit 'Trust in Education;' and it leads him to meet very diverse people from far and near who want to support his cause. On June 26th, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Shumba Marimba will perform for his cause. Shumba Marimba plays the fun and high-energy Zimbabwean music known as Shona.
Janet Thomas, a member of Our Savior's Lamorinda Peace and Justice Group, has been a long time supporter of MacKenzie. While visiting her friend Laura Widman in Seattle, Thomas discovered Shumba Marimba. Widman is a former Orinda resident and Miramonte graduate who taught at Campolindo. She's raising her family in Seattle, and her daughter is part of the musical ensemble.
"Shona is the music of the Shona People of Zimbabwe; the mbira is the traditional instrument of the Shona People, often used in religious ceremonies," says Shumba Marimba's director Sheree Seretse. "In the 80's, Dumisani Maraire, a master performer of the mbira, taught at the University of Washington. That's where I met him and learned Shona." The group that Seretse will bring to the Bay Area is composed of eight young musicians, ages13-16.
Shumba Marimba plays on eight handcrafted, fine-tuned marimbas - xylophones made from hardwoods such as vermilion, mahogany and peduk. Each key has a resonator which amplifies the sound, producing a unique musical effect. The use of hoshos, or gourd shakers, rounds out the ensemble by creating an exciting sound that is wonderful for clapping and dancing. "Some of the children in our group have been with me since kindergarten," explains Seretse, "and most of them practice other musical instruments as well." (Check out their video at http://www.shumbamarimba.org/video.html.)
"I'm impressed that this is a group of hard-working, disciplined young people who play music which, though celebrating the richness of another culture, is universal in its appeal," said Thomas, "It is heartening to learn that they often play to benefit other youth." Seretse takes her group around the United States every year and routinely plays to support non-profit organizations. "Budd (McKenzie) visited us and talked about what he does," says Seretse, "the children understand his challenge supporting education for all in Afghanistan and they are very proud to be part of this project."
The group will continue its Bay Area tour after the opening in Lafayette, and will play in Mountain View, Santa Cruz, San Raphael, and Oakland.
Following the performance, Budd MacKenzie will briefly discuss some of the accomplishments and challenges facing Trust in Education. Afghan snacks will be served. Admission is $20 for adult and $10 for children; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or reserved by calling (925) 299-2011 or visiting www.trustineducation.org. For more information, contact Janet Thomas at (925) 946-0563 or thomas@silcon.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA