JOHN MAMBIRA

John Munyaradzi Mambira is involved in many forms of art - acting, singing, dancing, and playing music, from regions of southern Africa including Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He has worked with various amateur and professional groups and has taught workshops at many festivals. He is a phenomenal drummer, marimba player, and singer with a wide vocal range who has performed with his Zimbabwean-based band, Bongo Love, all over the world, as well as with local groups in Eugene, Oregon, including Ratie D, Mhondoro, and Sanibonani.

Now residing in Springfield, Oregon, John continues his lifelong journey to teach people of all abilities and aspirations. Combining his talents for creativity, patience, nimbleness, flexibility, lightness of heart, and kindness of touch, John has quickly become a respected teacher of dance, marimba, drum, and choral arrangements.

THE JOHN MAMBIRA BAND

Over the course of eight years, John Mambira has immersed himself in the vibrant Oregon music scene, collaborating with diverse artists across various genres.

Now, he’s embarking on a journey to create a new musical expression, drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Zimbabwean traditional music.

His envisioned sound is a captivating fusion that blends elements of African Pop, southern African rhythms, Reggae, and Afrojazz.

To bring this vision to life, John has assembled a talented ensemble of musicians:

Ratie D: A phenomenal musician with whom I’ve collaborated for over a decade. Ratie D was also part of the acclaimed group Bongo Love.

Parker Koehn: A skilled drummer from De Solution, adept at infusing reggae styles and Zimbabwean rhythms seamlessly into our band’s unique format.

SPARKA: Born in Japan, Sparka's electric bass skills span a wide range of styles—from reggae to funk and beyond.

Fode Sylla: A master drummer and extraordinary dancer hailing from Guinea. Fode has been an integral part of our collaborative productions since 2014.

Gilbert Zvamaida: A versatile, world-class guitarist who has lent his expertise to renowned artists such as Thomas Mapfumo, De Solution, and Kudana.

Together, we’re weaving a musical tapestry that celebrates tradition, innovation, and the universal language of rhythm.