Timbila

In the autumn of 1998, I had the opportunity to visit Africa. Specifically, I participated on a trip arranged by PAND (an artists' organization for peace) to Mozambique, spending most of the time in the capital, Maputo. Among other things, we saw a local dance group. Eduardo Durão was a musician and composer working with the group.So far Eduardo Durão has made only one record under his own name, for the Globestyle label in 1978. In 1992 he played on Peter Giger's Jazz timbila record. In addition to timbila music, Durão is eager to experiment. Timbila tradition meets with modern times on this recording in different combinations. Durão has some jazz experience from his work with Giger; he even played at the Berlin Jazz Festival. Masso a Ticerto and M'Tshitso are instrumental pieces and they represent the traditional style. Sindatana and Tcigogorolo have the largest instrumental combinations on this CD. Besides the timbila group, singers and percussion, there are drums and an electric bass. I play the saxophone and Seppo Kantonen the synthesizers. On this CD, Eduardo Durão can be heard as a composer, timbila player, singer, and occasionally percussionist.