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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
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