Erica Azim is one of the leading western authorities on, and practitioners of, Zimbabwean mbira music. She is currently based in Berkeley, California, and makes frequent trips to Zimbabwe to record music, as well as visits around the US to teach mbira, particularly to areas in the Pacific Northwest and Colorado, where there are large communities of practitioners of Zimbabwean music. Azim has studied the performance of the mbira extensively in Zimbabwe, and is now known as a gwenyambira, a musician qualified to play at traditional religious ceremonies. Teachers she has studied with in Zimbabwe include well-known performers such as Ambuya Beauler Dyoko, Cosmas Magaya, Mondrek Muchena, Irene Chigamba, Tute Chigamba, Chris Mhlanga, Fradreck Mujuru, Newton Gwara, Forward Kwenda, Luken Pasipamire, Raymond Mujuru and Fungai Mujuru. Azima also studied under Ephat Mujuru and Dumisani Maraire, the first Zimbabweans to bring mbira music to the west. Mbira Dzavadzimu in deze (top), Mbira Nyunga Nyunga (bottom), Hosho (bottom left). ... Berkeley as seen from the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 8th 269 837 km² 451 km 612 km 0. ... Dumisani Maraire (1944-1999), known to friends as Dumi, was a master performer of the mbira, a traditional instrument of the Shona ethnic group of Zimbabwe. ...

Azim is also the founder of Mbira.org, a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving and sustaining Zimbabwean music, as well as teaching and distributing this music more broadly. Azim directs events such as the mbirathon fundraiser, mbira camps that frequently feature guest teachers from Zimbabwe, and regular mbira workshops at her Berkeley location.

Azim is also featured on numerous recordings of mbira music, including her own titles, as well as a guest on recordings by Forward Kwenda.

Other notable western ethnomusicologists associated with mbira music are Paul Berliner, Hugh Tracey, and Andrew Tracey. Paul Berliner is an important twentieth century ethnomusicologist, best known for specializing in African Music as well as Jazz and other improvizational systems. ... Hugh Tracey was an important twentieth century ethnomusicologist. ...

See also

• Hosho
• International Library of African Music
• Music of Zimbabwe
• Mbira
• Paul Berliner
• Shona music
• Hugh Tracey
• Zimbabwean Marimba

For the Japanese aircraft carrier see Hosho. ... The International Library of African Music (ILAM) is an organization dedicated to the preservation and study of African music. ... Zimbabwean music includes folk and pop styles, much of it based on the well-known instrument the mbira. ... Mbira Dzavadzimu in deze (top), Mbira Nyunga Nyunga (bottom), Hosho (bottom left). ... Paul Berliner is an important twentieth century ethnomusicologist, best known for specializing in African Music as well as Jazz and other improvizational systems. ... Shona music is the music of the Shona language speaking people of Zimbabwe. ... Hugh Tracey was an important twentieth century ethnomusicologist. ... // The Marimba The Modern Instrument The marimba is a musical instrument in the percussion family. ...

Recordings

External links

• Mbira.org This site also includes a biography page for Azim