Arab melodies from Zanzibar with the queen of Taarab, the 93 year old Bi Kidude Founded in 1958, the Culture Musical Club is Zanzibar’s premier taarab club. The orchestra performs widely at concerts in Zanzibar town, but also frequently travels overland with a fold-up stage and an electricity generator to bring its music to the rural areas as well. The club has released hundreds of songs on the local market and since 1988 they have had six releases on the international market.
The orchestra has had highly successful tours all over Europe in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007; in September 2006 they toured the US to high acclaim, in July 2007 the club performed in Japan. A North American tour is planned for the 2008-2009 season. Besides taarab, many club members are also active in kidumbak groups, smaller ensembles that play a more down-home dance-focused music. Both types of music are played on stage, contrasting the serene sound of orchestral taarab to the festive and sexually charged dance that is kidumbak. On its tours the club regularly features invited guest singers. The summer 2009 will include the legendary 93 year old Bi Kidude, the veteran diva of Zanzibar, who is now in her mid-90s but is still famous for breaking taboos, both in her sexually-explicit lyrics and her bravery for daring to sing with her face uncovered. Rajab Suleiman, qanun, kidumbak Ali Hassan, oud, violin, cherewa Kesi Juma, violin Makame Faki, vocals, violin Taimour Rukuni, accordion, mkwasa Mahmoud Juma, bass, cherewa Amour Haji, dumbak, sanduku Foum Faki, bongos, kidumbak Rukia Ramadhani, vocals, chorus Fatma Juma, chorus, dance, rika Bi Kidude, vocals Mgeni Khamis, chorus, dance Bi Kidude (Fatuma binti Baraka), singer, born around 1910; died 17 April 2013 (RiP)

Michuzi Blog

Tanzanian blog operating since 2005, covering International news and Local News, including Politics, Fashion, Social Scenes, Interviews, Movies, Events, personalities and anything positive happening worldwide. Written in Swahili and English targeting both Swahili and English readers.

Toa Maoni Yako:

0 comments so far,add yours

Hii ni Blog ya Watanzania popote walipo duniani kwa ajili ya kuhabarisha, kutoa/kupokea taarifa na kuelimisha mambo yote yaliyo chanya kwa Taifa letu. Tafadhali sana unapotoa maoni usichafue hali ya hewa wala usijeruhi hisia za mtu/watu. Kuwa mstaarabu...