WEBSITE: http:\\www.elmocambo.ca

Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited

Friday, December 23

El Mocambo Upstairs

www.elmocambo.ca

464 Spadina Ave. Toronto, ON

$25 at the Door

Advance Tickets at www.20hzmusic.com

Among the cream of the crop performers of contemporary African music, 

Thomas Mapfumo, born in Marondera, Zimbabwe is responsible for blending 

traditional Zimbabwe mbira (thumb piano with steel keys) music with a 

western pop music and a political message establishing the musical style,

 Chimurenga (struggle music).  By added electric guitars, saxophone, 

congas and a drum kit, Thomas electric interpretations of traditional 

mbira music combined with his deep, resonant voice made him a huge star 

in Africa since the 70s.

Mapfumos lyrics reflected the concerns of the people around him-hardships

 in the rural areas, young men heading into the bush to fight Zimbabwe's

 bitter war for independence, and a rising sense of indignation at white

 rulers who had systematically devalued the Zimbabwe native culture for 

four generations.  Throughout the liberation war that would eventually 

transform Rhodesia into Zimbabwe, the white Rhodesian government felt 

threatened by Mapfumos popularity and banning his music on local 

airwaves and imprisoned him for 90 days in 1977.

Throughout the 80 and 90s as Zimbabwe took its first hopeful steps as an

 independent nation, Mapfumo sang rallying songs for the new black 

leaders whom quickly revealed themselves as venal and corrupt. 

Increasingly focused his ire on the country's leaders, who he felt had 

failed the people, Mapfumo took his music around the world capturing the

 imagination of disenfranchised blacks around the world.

This year, 2005, Thomas' music is again banned in Zimbabwe. He lives in 

virtual exile with his family and band in the US. Still, his yearly 

releases in Zimbabwe sell out in a few days, despite being banned from 

the government airwaves.  This new millennium finds Thomas Mapfumo an 

international force in World Music, still composing, recording, 

performing and touring unceasingly. Don't miss Thomas Mapfumo & The 

Blacks Unlimited when they appear in Toronto, on Dec. 23rd at the El 

Mocambo.

Ticket Information

www.elmocambo.ca

www.20hzmusic.com 

Listen to Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited here:

http://thomasmapfumo.calabashmusic.com/

Additional Info:

http://www.anonymousweb.com/

For more information please contact:

Jay Cleary, 360 Degrees Artists 

ph. 416-877-4075

jay.cleary@gmail.com

phone #: 416.777.1777