Maputi

Shona mbira music is one of the most soulful sounds on the African continent. Originally used in spirit possession ceremonies, the iron-pronged mbira produces melodies beautiful enough to draw in the spirits—and rhythmically charged enough to keep people dancing throughout the night. Maputi reinvents these deep musical traditions with a New York edge. Trained by mbira masters of Zimbabwe, Maputi breathes new life into songs passed down through generations. Hypnotic dream melodies of mbira collide with the pulse of West African flute, violin lines echoing mbira patterns, driving percussion, and layered vocal harmonies—pushing into uncharted territory for a sound that’s both traditional and unexpected. Nora Balaban - mbira, vocals Susan Rapalee - mbira, vocals Rima Fand - violin, vocals Sylvain Leroux - Fula flute, vocals Nari Zechman - djembe, vocals Stuart Zechman - hosho, vocals