Zimbabwean Mbira Music: Fredrack Mujuru and Erica Azim

Erica Azim is the foremost mbira performer and recording artist in the United States. She fell in love with Shona mbira music when she
first heard it at the age of sixteen. In 1974 she became one of the first Americans to study mbira in Zimbabwe, and since then she has studied and performed with many of Zimbabwe’s top mbira masters. She directs the nonprofit organization, MBIRA, which makes field recordings and instruments available to mbira enthusiasts around the world and provides financial support to over 230 Zimbabwean mbira players and instrument makers.

Fradreck Mujuru, grandson of the legendary Muchatera Mujuru, grew up in the largest extended family of mbira players in Zimbabwe. Strongly drawn to the instrument as a boy, he began to play at the age of eight, later learning to build mbiras as well. Today he is considered to be the greatest living mbira maker—his instruments are now played on every continent—as well as being a highly respected musician.