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There were so many African events in Toronto this past weekend it was hard to decide what to take in, but having missed seeing Oliver Mtukudzi in concert last time around, I couldn’t pass up the chance to make up for that now.
You’ll see my interview piece at the link, actually from that last time he was in town in November 2009.
Opening up for the Zimbabwean legend was the Tichaona Maredza Quartet, formed by self taught Zimbabwean born Tichaona Daniel Maredza. Based on the acoustic guitar, his music combines the rhythms of his native country with Afrojazz. His lyrics are inspirational and hopeful, and this was his band’s second tour opening for Oliver Mtukudzi. The remaining members of the band are Larry Lewis on lead guitar, Andrew Mark on drums and Tichaona Gombiro on bass. - Small World Music Society
Opening up for the Zimbabwean legend was the Tichaona Maredza Quartet, formed by self taught Zimbabwean born Tichaona Daniel Maredza. Based on the acoustic guitar, his music combines the rhythms of his native country with Afrojazz. His lyrics are inspirational and hopeful, and this was his band’s second tour opening for Oliver Mtukudzi. - Small World Music Society
He lists his influences as Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo, has opened for the former, and plays acoustic guitar, drums, keyboards, mbira, marimba and percussion in a fusion of Zimbabwean contemporary rhythms and Afrojazz. You can catch him playing in town twice this week. - Art & Culture Maven
Discography
Eternity Music Volume One, 2002
Ndinzweiwo, 2004
The Journey, (In Studio)
Photos
Bio
The Band:
Swooping down from the vast Zimbabwean plains, Tichaona Daniel Maredza, a guitar in one hand, a drum in the other, and an mbira in his teeth, arrived in Toronto in 2008. Singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, he quickly formed a group in December 2009. The Tich Maredza Band hit the circuit hard, veterans in a matter of months. Tich's music, while rooted in Zimbabwean traditional styles, has a contemporary flair with vital drive and melodic intelligence. Indoors, outdoors, concert hall or dance hall, The Tich Maredza Band puts smiles on faces and feet on the floor. 3 Zimbabweans, 1 US expat, and 1 Colombian make up this polyrhythmic Toronto ensemble of drums and guitars. Narrated and sung in Shona and English, Tich's music chronicles the struggles and triumphs of his journey, in music and life.
While the TMB is presently working on honing material for a new album entitled "The Journey," Tich has released two previous albums, "Eternity Music Volume One," recorded ibn Abustralia, and "Ndinzweiwo," recorded in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
As a solo act the TMB has appeared at festivals throughout Ontario, including Afrofest in Toronto, as well as accompanying visiting African stars such as, Freddie Gwala (South Aftrica) and Thomas Mpfumo (Zimbabwe). Further, they have opened for the legendary Oliver Mitududzi 3 times here in Toronto. Their music sings like the Sugarbird and stings like the Serpent. . Find the Tich Maredza Band on Facebook, ReverbNation, Myspace, and YouTube.
Band Members
Links
