Zimbabwean Afro-centric musician, Munyaradzi Nyamarebvu will this year join 25 other musicians at the yearly OneBeat Fellowship. Nyamarebvu joins Tariro Negitare, Hope Masike and Blessing Chamanga in being a OneBeat Fellow.
An optimistic Nyamarebvu says he wants to pull all he can from the fellowship.
“I intend to do a lot of collaborative musical projects during my fellowship in the US, make networks with music promotion companies, world music producers in the US, absorb the business knowledge of performing arts in the US and grow my brand management skills.”
“I also look forward to doing several official video projects that shall be showcased on the international market as well as back home in Zimbabwe and online networks after my tour in the US,” he added
OneBeat is an initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the groundbreaking New York-based music organization Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation. The fellowship brings musicians from around the world to the U.S. for one month to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop strategies for arts-based social engagement, an accolade that Munya is already accustomed to since he composes, arranges and co-engineers his sessions “to make sure that my sound is unique.”
But who is this Munyaradzi Nyamarebvu?
When he touches his guitar and strings a cord, opens his mouth, already you can feel the touch of Oliver Mtukudzi. He is however a largely a self-taught singer/ songwriter, guitarist, mbira player and mbira innovator whom has also gained performing art experience through interacting with arts platforms ,arts centers and other renowned artists. Nyamarebvu’s music is inspired by various musical traditions across Africa, with a strong bias on Zimbabwean music.
The Afro-folk musician is very passionate about peace and advocates for Peace and love through his music. “If everyone could give peace a chance, I believe the world could be a better place,” says Nyamarebvu.
As a farewell gift to his fans he will be hosting a “farewell” concert on the 26th of Aug at Zimbabwe German Society dubbed “Farewell to America”, an event to celebrate this achievement.
