Zimbe!
Knox Church, Saturday, July 12
Billed as African folk music with a jazz twist, "Zimbe!" certainly filled Knox Church to capacity for unique ethnic music as David Burchell conducted City Choir’s midwinter concert on Saturday evening.
They began with The Word was God, by Rosephanye Powell - a strictly paced, declamatory, canon-styled piece (unaccompanied).
The following Three Spirituals were generally brisk, full-harmony pieces composed in 1993 by David Hamilton, although In the Garden was a softer rendition of well-known text.
Dunedin Children’s Choir contributed three items and joined for the main work. This choir, founded and conducted by Natasha Manowitz, performs with excellence and discipline, maintaining clear diction and well-intoned balanced harmony.
Their waiata, Ehara i te mea, by Eru Timoko Ihaka, was accompanied by guitar (Helen Rutherford). 1914, written by Sue Mepham, told the story of horses who were used in World War 1 - "10,000 left our shore but only four returned". Banaha, a Congolese folk song with djembe accompaniment (Andre Harry), completed their performance. Their pianist was Susan Frame.
Zimbe! Come, Sing the Songs of Africa, a vibrant celebration of African music and culture composed by Alexander L’Estrange, brings together soulful melodies, energetic rhythms and infectious harmonies showcasing rich musical African traditions, rooted in the American "Gospel" tradition.
An outstanding jazz ensemble of Bill Martin (piano), Nick Cornish (saxophone), Andy Lynch (bass), Carl Woodward (drums) and Alex Burchell (percussion) provided exceptional accompaniment which carried the singers’ performance. Catherine Schroder showcased African dance routines in the centre aisle.
Many of the 15 songs had the colourfully clad choir moving and clapping, and so were the audience. The drummers were sensational, especially in the triumphant final repeat of Freedom is Coming - Hamba Vangeli. Thula Mama, thula, a lullaby for mothers of imprisoned sons, was softer with emotional sax obligato.
Altogether, this was an outstanding musical experience for choir and patrons alike.
