On Wednesday 30th October, World Heart Beat hosted a very special African music workshop and concert with South African band Otto & the Mutapa Calling and some of our very talented young musicians.
Kamilla Arku, who teaches piano with us and who is also Artistic Director and Founder of Music for Liberia organised for the band to visit. This was followed by the opportunity to take part in a performance with the artists on Saturday 2nd November, as part of the Music for Liberia Charity concert, in Mayfair.
Band Leader Otto Gumaelius is a London based, Botswana raised percussionist specialising in the Kwanongoma marimba and mbira nyunga nyunga of southern Africa. He writes and performs with his band Otto & The Mutapa Calling, and teaches music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana through his cultural arts and events company, Taste of Southern Africa.
It was a hugely inspiring evening for all which was positively bursting with energy and rhythmic beats making it difficult for anyone in the audience to keep still!
As special thanks to Jack Petchey Award winner Neekaiya Mark who has chosen to spend her award on this opportunity for us.