Mokoomba is a six-member band born in the resort town of Victoria Falls and now based in Harare. The group was formed by the late legendary guitarist Alfred Mujimba in 2008.
That same year, the group went on to win the Music Crossroads Inter-regional Competitions in Lilongwe, Malawi. The internationally travelled Mokoomba are scheduled to be part of the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo 2012 program in September. The group has performed at big European Festivals in countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, Norway and Austria. Regionally the group has toured Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi. Mokoomba has also featured at HIFA.
Mokoomba is well known for its electrifying blend of Afro-fusion and tantalizing traditional Tonga rhythms. This exciting Tonga group from Binga certainly has a unique sound rooted in Tonga tradition and promises to take the world of music by storm. The band mixes a number of indigenous languages such as Luvale, Nyanja, Mbunda, and Chokwe which are part of the Tonga dialect. The group fuses modern instruments and Tonga traditional instruments like Jemba and the bell to create tantalizing and danceable traditional rhythms.
To date, the group has produced two albums entitled Kweseka-Drifting Ahead and Rising Tide. The Bulawayo audience will have an opportunity to sample their songs during Intwasa Arts Festival. The group is known for their hit songs umvundla and Messe Messe. Messe Messe is making waves on the underground international dance music charts.
In their work, the group has collaborated with Mano Gallo from Belgium and the popular Dutch house producer Gregor Salto. The group is made of six talented members; Mathias Muzaza who is the lead vocalist; Trustworth Samende, lead guitarist; Ndaba Costa Moyo, drums; Miti Mugande, percussion; MacDonald Moyo, keyboard and Abundance Mutori who plays the bass guitar. It will be Mokoomba’s maiden appearance at Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo.
