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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 1978)
/ Page 4 Portland Observer Thursday. January 26, 1978 Music of Zimbabwe benefits civil rights group by Linda Bullard single. Dumi himself had previously cut three albums two solo and one playing the mbira (thumb piano) backed by Shona “MINANZI" - It means "beautiful people singing. In February the group sounds" and refers specifically to the old will be in California, and next fall another traditional music of the Shona people, the East Coast tour is scheduled. major ethnic group of Zimbabwe (Rhode The type of instrument used by the sin) in southeast Africa. Now Portland ensemble originated in southeastern Afri can count itself among those fortunate ca in the vicinity of Mozambique, where American cities which can bear witness the Chopi people were famous for their that they are indeed beautiful sounds. timbila (xylophone) orchestras. They Since their appearances on the Portland were then adapted by the Sons, who nightclub circuit last October. Dumi and inhabit a region of Zimbabwe contiguous the Minanzi Marimba Ensemble have to Mozambique. Du ni’s seven marimbas ripped Rip City wide open They played were all hand crafted in Africa from an to sell-out crowds on three of the four extremely hard wood. A search in this nights of their first engagement here. country for a substitute capable of pro Their phenomenal rise to popularity ducing similar tones revealed nothing indicates that they’ve got something that comparable. Portlanders need: music that is totally The underlying principle of the Minanzi unique to this part of the world, cultural Ensemble is traditional East Africa mu ly rich, visually powerful, and immensely sic: Their repertoire is made up of Shona entertaining. Everybody wants to hear pieces and popular urban songs which Dumi because it is their own hearts Dumi has arranged, as well as original beating through his rhythms. compositions in the Shona style by Dumi Dumi brought the music of Zimbabwe and two other members of the band. to the Northwest in 1968 by invitation of Dumi does most of the singing, which is the Ethno Musicology Program at the based on traditional texts but frequently University of Washington. His classes improvised. Much of their material is in there were so enthusiastically received the form of “NGANO,” or story songs that his one year position as artist-in-re which were used as musical and dramatic sidence was extended for the next four embellishments to the oral folklore. Occa years. He was then hired by Evergreen sionallv Dumi will clear the packed dance State College to head their ethnic music floor and treat the audience to a “special program. From his classes at these two dance.” These are choreographed using institutions he selected the most devoted traditional Shona dance movements and and adept students for the professional performed usually by two men or two troupe which in 1975 became the Minanzi women. The audience is also welcome to Marimba Ensemble. Since that time the join in vocally, according to one of the group has toured nationally twice, pro fundamental principles of African cul duced one album, and is about to release a ture: ;nrtki;*ation. Sometimes the instruments come in one at a time so that one is able to match up the sound with what's making it - which is a valuable opportunity, because the group's so tight when they're all going together that it's difficult to distin guish the individual components. In fact, part of the punch of the Dumi experience is its visual impact: the straightforward, strong, and exotic instruments them selves: the powerful, nimble arms pound ing them to sweetness until player and played seem to merge and the music starts pouring out of bodies, too first the musicians’ and then the listeners, who feel compelled to do something. And so they sing and dance Everyone dances: a young man in a wheelchair and an elderly woman with bandaged legs and a cane. Even those who are ill-equipped cannot sit still when Dumi's music begins. The rhythms go straight to the heart of the matter and demand participation. The aesthetic of all African music tends to be that the more esoteric it is. the less value it has. That doesn't mean that the music of Zimbabwe is “primitive." how ever. Its internal relationships may be very complex, but they must never confine it; the immediacy of the music is not stiffled by suffocating conventions. It moves and moves us freely, propelled by the raw, sheer human energy required to produce the sound. People in Portland are responding so enthusiastically to Dumi because he responds to our need to DUMI AND THE MINANZI MARIMBA ENSEMBLE filter out all the confusion and get back to our roots back to basic melody, rhythm, Dumi and the Minanzi Marimba En sion $3. at the Family Circus Studio, 221 semble juggling act. and harmonies. This music is real, semble will appear at a Benefit for S.E. 11th. Portland Citizens Against Racism is honest, and liberating - it doesn't need Portland Citizens Against Racism on The Family Circus Theater will present involved in the struggle to eliminate all electricity -- it's got its own. Sunday, January 29th, 8:00 p.m., admis “A Passing Fancy,” their intricate en forms of racism from Portland to South ern Africa. Entertainment Guide Youth music New book analyzes Black role in white racism groups form by Allen Jones M E L BROW N T R IO • • • Probably the most gratifying experience I've found in writing this column for the past couple of years, is being able to go and check out a performance and become involved in the entire musical experience. When you team talented people together like; Marrian Mayfield on vocals and guitar, the best drummer in the Northwest (and quite possibly on the West Coast) Mel Brown, add the very talented Dick Blake on keyboards (who makes it look so easy) - you can certainly rest assure you are in for a musical treat! It's been quite a while since this talented trio mixed music, and I wasn't about to miss them. They're currently headlining at the Prima Donna, a landmark for jazz in the Portland area. Marrian Mayfield has the talent and ability to put you in a euphoric state of mind - if she so chooses. She has a soft voice with a large range. Marrian just has a natural gift not many in the business can boast about. Mel Brown is a very good and successful drummer. Mel has been around the world on several occasions. He traveled with the "original" Temptations for five years, when they were at the summit of their musical careers. He later went on to join the "Supremes" organization for three years and that took him around again. Tired of travel Brown decided to open a drum shop and do local gigs. Needless to say he's successful at both. Dick Blake is well-known in the Northwest for his skillful handling of the piano. There's no way you can sit in a room where Blake's appearing and not focus on his beautiful piano playing. He's just too good to ignore. Collectively, they comprise the best trio in town. COMMUNITY CALENDAR The Trojan Decommissioning Alliance is holding a benefit dance and concert at 8:00 p.m.. Saturday, February 4th in the Theatre Elan Ballroom, 614 S.W. 11th. The Show will include The Howling Gale, playing folk music from the British Isles and America, the Electric Highwater Stringband from Corvallis, and the dance improvisation of Jose Brown. The donation asked is $2, with refreshments available. All proceeds will go to the legal defense fund of the Trojan Occupiers. Stories, songs, .»u.i.iets. lager-,days and other group activities are planned by Children's Librarian Cynthia Sturgis for winter pre-school story time at the North Portland Branch Library, 512 N. Killingsworth Street. Story time for children ages three through five will be held Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. beginning February 14th. Call the North Portland Branch at 284 5622 for further information In celebration of Black Awareness Month the Albina Branch Library. 3605 N.E. 15th Avenue, has scheduled a program of skits, music and dance on Saturday. February 11th. at 2:00 p.m. The program will be presented by Star Productions, Forrest Jenkins. Director Everyone is invited to attend and there is no admission charge. For further details call the Albina Branch at 287-7147. ENEMIES: THE CLASH OF RACES The newly formed Oregon Youth Sym phonic Society is offering a musical experience in choir and orchestra for young people between the ages of eight and eighteen. The program will offer a unique blend of classical and popular repertoire in both orchestral and choral music. Young people will be selected through auditions. OYSS is patterned somewhat on the Portland Junior Symphony, but differs in the approach of the two directors, Aszemar Glenn and Randall Malmström, who believe that "one must not only know music, but one should also know one's body and mind in order to become one with the universe." Aszemar Glenn, founder of OYSS and director of the choir, is a concert pianist with a Fine Arts degree from Pacific University. He is the 1973 recipient of the State Music Award in Composition, selected by the Oregon Music Teacher's Association. Randall Malmström, who will direct the orchestra, is a former principal trombonist with the Portland Junior Symphony and the Portland Symphonic Choir Orchestra and is currently a mem ber of the Portland Opera Association Orchestra. He has been a professional music teacher for many years. people in a life and death struggle not just for survival but for maximum deve by Haki Madhubuti |I>on L. Lee| lopment and empowerment on a national Third World Press: Chicago 1978 |S5.95 and international level. ;n;»erback| That Black people "willingly" partici pate in their own enslavement and There's a richness and love in this book destruction is debated and analyzed. The that is seldom found among the Black author sees the "Black and Black" situa writers to emerge out of the bloody 60s. lion as critical and believes that "family Haki Madhubuti's analysis of the world, business” must lie solved first, even us and especially the Black white situation confrontations with the "outside" world in the world, is without peer. Enemies: intensifies; if true liberation is to be The Clash of Races is one of the few clear possible. Therefore he seriously ques and uncompromising advocates of Black tions the African Connection; its possibili Nationalism by a participant to be pub ties, its faults and promises. He sees the fished in the last ten years. use of Andy Young und other “Black" bureuucrats us holding patterns for the Mr. Madhubuti's basic premise is that continued control of Southern Africa. He Black people in the United States (as in states that “the Soviet Sino Anglo in much of the world) are at war with white fluence in Africa is first und foremost a world supremacy. A force so overwhelm fight to control resources and that Black , ing. refined and sophisticated that Black participants emerge out of this at best as people often aid in their own destruction treacherous pawns in a world wide strug without question. Whether they fall into gle for spheres of influence' between the the communist, capitalist or socialist white and the white.” camps is not the major question. The With unusual force Enemies: The Clash major question is power wherever Black of Races raises the important questions of people reside. From the opening intro who will control the planet and if Black duction, “Is Craziness Only Mind Deep?" people will have any voice in the work to the ending love song, "Victory and ings of the world as we approach the 21st Closing Love" the author sees Black century. HAKI MADHUBl TI IDON L. LEE) Desegregation classes scheduled The Community Coalition for School Integration will hold a public forum on school desegregation at Beaumont School on Tuesday, January 31st. at 7:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to come and express their opinions and concerns on this topic. The purpose of the forum will be to: 1) inform the public about Portland's deseg regation program, and 2) solicit the opinions and concerns of Portland’s citi zens regarding school desegregation. Gladys McCoy for County Commissioner Committee invites you to a Fund Raiser with s;iecial guests - Maurice and Rita Lucas on Friday, January 27, 1978, at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. There will be a film, auction and refreshments to fill the evening. The hit Broadway musical. Gods;ielL a joyous celebration of > he Gospel according to St. Matthew, will be presented at Reedwood Friends Church, February 4th at 8:00 p.m and February 5th at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 2901 S.E. Steele in Portland. The admission is free. It is suggested that you arrive early for the best possible seating. ' DON’T GAMBLE WITH YOUR HEALTH TO LOSE WEIGHT. .............* * * * --------------------------------------------------------------~ r n r r j - - r r r r f i r j j j r j j i Crash diets may be appealing But are they sate9 In follow ing the Weight Watchers" Program we not only want you to lose weight, we also want you to eat wisely and well Thais why we advise you to see your doctor before starting our or any weight loss program The Weight Watchers Program is created and super vised by our world renowned Medical Director and expert nutritionists That s why the foods on our Program are not only delicious but nutritionally-balanced Play it safe Ask your doctor and join a Weight Watchers meeting today EIGHT" WATCHERS Losing weight n e v e r^ A f tasted so good The Authority. Y ou are Welcome to Worship at ® YOU’RE THIS CLOSE TO LOSING WEIGHT. T H E ARK OF SA FETY CH U R C H OF G D I) P E N T E C O S T A L , INC. “A warm spirit of fellowship always” The Honorable Bishop L'.V. Peterson. D.D. “The Holiness Preacher,” Pastor Sunday: Sunday School 9:15 am Morning Worship 11:15 am Showers of Blessings Broadcast KGAR 1550 11:30 am-l2:3ll pm YPB< .. .. 6:30 pm Evangelistic Worship 8:00 im n - i ^ p ^ Tuesday: Bible Band/Jr. Church Wednesday: Choir Rehearsal Friday: “The Pastor S leaks” MM;R ilhww „ rlh 281-0499 j» iw n p » » m » i i i « < n « . n . i . . . . . . . " - - r r j f r j ij j j 806 N .E. A lberta Street Reverend Bertram («riffin. Pastor 2814429 7:30 pm for further information call Collect Portland (5031 297 1021 Weekdays 8:30 5:30 5:00 p.m. Vigil - Saturday 10:00 a.m. Choir - Sunday 12:00 p.m. Folk - Sunday 7:00 pm EMANUEL HOSPITAL 2801 N, Gantenbein Emanuel East, Room B 2 (Nursing Home) Thun. 7:00 p.m. MARANATHA CHURCH 1222 N.E. Skidmore Sat. 9:30 a.m. W BG HT WATCHERS 7:30 pm ST. ANDREW COMMUNITY SCHOOL 4919 N.E. 9th Ave. Norita Kelly. Principal Phone: 284-1620 Grade. 1 through The Authority n -if l'S ii .tn r.A IH .m A I ... MK M A N H A S .lt N V ° ' î * 1» “ * " « O ' WUCHT W A T C H !« . WH(, MT WATCH! NS IN T ! »NATIONAL tlT i
