African Marimba, Vol. 3: A Retrospective of a Lifetime of Work

A few of the 21 pieces in this collection were learned by Carol through the oral tradition here in the US, but the majority of them she transcribed from Alport Mhlanga's handwritten standard music notation. In the introduction, Carol says that the modern history of Zimbabwean marimba music and Alport Mhlanga's musical life are intertwined. As Alport tells the story, there was a movement on the part of some inspired white educators in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to provide music education to the native peoples of Africa, the black citizens. This was the genesis of the Kwanangoma College of Music in Bulawayo, Rhodesia.

In an effort to find instruments appropriate for teaching African Music, but not tied to any one Zimbabwean tribal group's musical culture, Kwanangoma College selected the marimba. Alport was one of the first teachers in the Kwanangoma College marimba music program, and he was and is a prolific composer.

Contents

• Amaxoxo
• Bekezela
• Chiradza II
• Dana
• Duduluza
• Ecstasy
• eKwanangoma
• Festival Fever
• Kgopotso
• Kopa
• Maggie
• Maimbo
• Ndinolila
• Nyathela
• Osano
• Ranchera
• Ssir Matimba
• The Third of June
• Thula Mtananmi 
• Tshebetshehbe 
• Umdhaka