Afresh Band - Zimbabwe In Belfast - Part One
Larry Cowan
27 February 2016
Gabriel Makamanzi and the Afresh band, an outfit based in Belfast playing a fusion of Chimurenga music supported by Irish musicians. Afresh became official in 2010 after Makamanzi’s first band in Ireland 'Talking Drum' dissolved.
"Led by Gabriel, the band consists of Irish Traditional, Folk, Funk, Jazz, Latin and Reggae musicians who have added their own flavour to the music though it retains a distinctly Zimbabwean base. As Gabriel shared and taught Zimbabwean music to the band, he also drew inspiration from their backgrounds. In the music you find the use of Irish instrumentation such as banjo, bodhrán, tin whistle and flute, producing a delicious musical experience (if I may abuse the culinary word)" - Tadzoka Pswarayi.
All Afresh backing vocals are performed by Irish and English girls. The Chimurenga music is fused with traditional Irish music to produce a beautiful blend dubbed Chidzimba music.
The Afresh Band members include:
- Emma Kennedy and Lauren Cudden - Backing Vocals
- Marty McCloskey - Drums
- Agrippa Njanina - Bass
- Yacine and Allan - Guitar
- Joe Campbell - Banjo
- Dermot - Bodhran
- Anna Polonn - Whistle and Flute
- Laurence and Ellain - Saxophone
- Ranking Fox - MC
- Tom - Trumpet
Links
Lamb Films Crew
- Larry Cowan - Camera/Directo
- Ling Gillespie - Camera
- Jaimie Richardson - Sound Mixer
- Nicola McHugh - Camera
- Jonathan Cairns - Editor