The Zawose Family
Tanzania's Zawose Family carry on the legacy of the late Hukwe Zawose with a new CD release, a documentary film and a string of UK dates.
Hukwe Zawose was one of World Music's biggest stars. While signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, Hukwe, together with his talented nephew Charles Zawose, toured Europe, America and Japan, spreading the music of the Wagogo people of Tanzania whose key instrument is the ilimba (thumb-piano) which Hukwe and his family built themselves. Hukwe's striking voice and his traditional stage costumes added to his rise to fame.
Hukwe's discovery was certainly a bit of a fairy-tale. In the 70s Tanzania's socialist President Nyerere was travelling through Hukwe's village. Hukwe, at the time a goat herder, was by the side of the road singing. Nyerere was so enchanted by what he heard, he asked Hukwe to become his official musician. This resulted in Hukwe (and later most of his family) moving from the village to the luscious Bagamoyo coast and then travelling abroad to showcase the unique, polyrhythmic music of the Wagogo people which resulted in the Real Word record deal and more extensive touring.
With things going so well for the Zawoses, the family expanded greatly: Hukwe had 7 wives and over 40 children. But after supporting Peter Gabriel on his 'Growing Up' tour tragedy struck: on 30 December 2003 Hukwe died aged 65. He had fallen victim to AIDS. The death of the family's patriarch and main bread winner brought hardship to the Zawoses but it was believed that his nephew Charles who had the experience, talent and contacts could continue in the international World Music scene. Unfortunately this proved to be only a very temporary solution as Charles too was ill and though he was denying it he was dying from AIDS and only a year after Hukwe's death he passed away. Since then AIDS has claimed the lives of many members of the Zawose family. Hardship followed and the family had to re-adjust and move away from the dependence on music as their main income source.
The documentary film 'Lay down your hearts', directed by John Simpson who first met Hukwe and Charles in 2002 whilst producing their WOMAD show, tells the story of the Zawoses, from Hukwe's beginnings and successes, then untimely death, to the present day struggles of his large family. It premiered on 19 July 2007 at the Kalabash Movement event held at the Salmon and Compass in London and is now being screened at a number of locations in the UK. 'Lay down your hearts' gives unique insight into the background of a successful World Music act. It is funny and light-hearted (the footage highlighting Hukwe's surprising popularity in Japan is priceless) but also incredbily touching and tragic with AIDS taking so many lives in this family. Ultmitately though it gives hope that the music of the Wagogo people will survive and that the future of Zawoses will positive.
Even without Hukwe and Charles music remains an important part in the Zawose family. Thumb pianos are played by everybody - even women play them now, something never before allowed under Hukwe's more conservative rule. Hukwe's brother and younger son are hitting the shrill falsetto notes that makes Zawose music so memorable. There is a new energy in the family learning from the bad times and building for a better future for the whole family and its music. Members of the family are now on tour in the UK for first time which has also taken in the WOMAD festival.
To coincide with the film and their UK visit Real Word Records are releasing the Zawose Family CD 'Small Things Fall From The Baobob Tree'. Recorded at Real World Studios and at radio station in Seattle a number of these songs are the last ever recordings of the Hukwe Zawose and Charles. The CD also introduces the voice of the new Zawose generation –rapturous, joyous, sometimes trance-like polyphonic singing accompanying buzzing thumb pianos, soaring izeze fiddle and exuberant rhythms. All proceeds are going to the Zawose Foundation which aims to support traditional musicians and artists in the Bagamoyo region of Tanzania.
Catch the Zawose Family in the UK:
Wednesday, 1 August 2007, 7pm, Cargo, London: PULL TOGETHER 2007 charity night. A unique night combining the best UK DJs (Daddy G from Massive Attack, Zero 7, Ross Allen) and live performances from the Zawose Family and Cambodia's Kong Nay & Ouch Savy, both of whom have just returned from tour with Peter Gabriel. All money will go to Cambodian Living Arts and the Zawose Foundation - both charities that support the preservation of traditional music and dance in their respective countries. For more information and tickets go to http://www.zawose.com/pulltogether or call 07917407222. Tickets are £8 ahead (online booking) or £10 on the door.
Thursday, 2 August at The Plough Arts Centre, 9-11 Fore Street, Great Torrington, Devon: live performance plus film screening, Tickets: 01805 624624
Friday, 3 August at the Angus Arican Drum Village festival, the first and only drum festival in Scotland, Glen Isla, http://www.africandrumvillage.com/ Tickets 01575 574265
Sunday, 5 August Barbican, London: live performance plus film screening, Tickets: 020 7638 8891
6 - 19 August, supporting Havana Rumba at the Edinburgh Festival, The Assembly Rooms, 10pm, Tickets: 0131 2260000
8-19 August, Royal Botantic Gardens, free performance each day at midday, as part of the Edinburgh festival http://www.edfringe.com/