Sukutai

Sukutai performs traditional and contepmerary music from Zimbabwe. Eight performers combine dance, music and storytelling to celebrate the haritage of Zimbabwe's Shona People. Vibrant marimba music, beutifull hamonies, colorfull dances, high-energy footwork and lively drumming are hallmarks of the Shona people. Started in 1980, Sukutai has been deloghting audiences at Festivals, Travel Fairs, Concerts and School Assemblies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

There is nothing restrained about Sukutai's show. Audience participation quickly becomes an understatement. With only a little push clapping hands - a subtle gesture toward the floor and the incessant and irresistible rythems - there are soon more people on their feet then in there seats. According to Lora Chiorah, "There is no distinctions between audience and performers in my cultutre. If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing!"

An evening with Sukutai is full of energy and powerful, positive entertainment. There is great diversity and emotion in all of Sukutai's performances. Powerfull vocols, authentic intsruments and visual delight of the traditional Shona fashions combine with the energetic traditional and contemporary dance of Zimbabwe to create performances not easily or soon forgotton.

With there new album Sukutai has transformed the sound of Marimba. The album (not yet titled) is one of the most soughtafter Marimba releases in America. It features all new and original songs composed, writen and produced by Tendai Mariare son of the late Dumisani Maraire the man that inriduced the Mbira and Marimba to America in 1967. Tendai said " I chose not t do any traditional songs or even any of my fathers songs becouse I felt I want to try to do my part to take the music to the next level. I just want to pick up from where my father left off and grow the music for the next generation of Maraire's!"

Sukutai's performances are full of the sound of drums, marimbas, mbira and the dynamic voice of Lora Chiorah. With over 20 years of performing under the belt Sukutai has not skipped a beat. With the same energy as when she first hit the stage over 20 years ago Lora continues to electrafy crowds were ever Sukutai is. The wod Sukutai "when you do something do it well".... and Lora and Sukutal will give you nothing less than their best when you see them perform.

NOTABLE SHOWS and OPENINGS

Miles Davis
Played for Robert Mugabe Boeing Field, Seattle
Janet Jackson
Jimmy Buffet
The Bundu Boys
Oliver Mutudzi
Thomas Mafumo
Lady Smith Black Mambazo
The Mahotella Queens
Expo 86
WOMAD Festival
Denver Black Awareness Program
Bumbershoot Festival
Folk life Festival
The Bite of Seattle
Women’s National Music Festival Chicago, Illinois
Zimbabwe Music Festival
USA-DOD Overseas Shows to 10 European Countries