Lee
Kumbani is a nephew, trainee and protégé of world-renowned mbira
maker and musician, Garikai Tirikoti. For many years Lee worked as an apprentice
to Garikai before starting his own mbira making project. Not only did Lee learn
to make mbira from his uncle, he also learned how to play the instrument. As
a matter of fact, on the brilliant CD by Garikai Tirikoti called Maidei, Lee
plays kushaura parts and sings background vocals. I met Lee in July 2004. I
was looking for an instrument maker willing to try building instruments small
enough they could be played comfortably by children as young as three years
old. He was incredibly accommodating and extremely resourceful. Within a day,
Kumbani had produced a prototype that was right on target. The rest of his work
can be seen on our jMbira series.
Additionally, Mr Kumbani built for us the following series of instruments in
the LK series. Each mbira has a different design on the front and back, making
them truly unique instruments. The keys have medium strength making them ideal
for our western clientele. These instruments are in the nyamaropa tuning and
they measure 7.5”Wx8.5”L. Enjoy!
Lee
Kumbani is a nephew, trainee and protégé of world-renowned mbira
maker and musician, Garikai Tirikoti. For many years Lee worked as an apprentice
to Garikai before starting his own mbira making project. Not only did Lee learn
to make mbira from his uncle, he also learned how to play the instrument. As
a matter of fact, on the brilliant CD by Garikai Tirikoti called Maidei, Lee
plays kushaura parts and sings background vocals. I met Lee in July 2004. I
was looking for an instrument maker willing to try building instruments small
enough they could be played comfortably by children as young as three years
old. He was incredibly accommodating and extremely resourceful. Within a day,
Kumbani had produced a prototype that was right on target. The rest of his work
can be seen on our jMbira series.
Additionally, Mr Kumbani built for us the following series of instruments in
the LK series. Each mbira has a different design on the front and back, making
them truly unique instruments. The keys have medium strength making them ideal
for our western clientele. These instruments are in the nyamaropa tuning and
they measure 7.5”Wx8.5”L. Enjoy!
