An opportunity has opened for Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Band to make their first trip to United States of America (USA) later this year courtesy of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass Moca).
A letter from Mass Moca, signed by The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Director of Performing Arts Sue Killam, says Kasambwe Band, the trio of Fatsani Kennedy, Joseph Wayson Msofi and Konzani Chikwata, will travel to the museum to record and present a community sharing of a musical album from November 7 to December 7 2024.
Mass Moca has partnered Jacaranda Foundation and Hen House Studios, led by Harlan Steinberger, to bring Kasambwe Band to USA.
Steinberger, who recorded Keturah’s self-titled album, said Sunday that his recent visit to Malawi to record at Jacaranda Studios at Chigumula in Blantyre, under the direction of Luc Deschamps and Marie Da Silva, proved to be fruitful and that it surpassed all expectations, recording 16 bands totalling 85 songs in 10 days.
He said Malawian musicians proved to be talented and proficient in the studio and that he was inspired by Kasambwe, which was among the acts that he recorded.
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“They were great to work with and I am excited that they will be coming to United States of America this November to record with me again in connection with Studio 9, Mass Moca, Jacaranda Foundation, The Fresh Grass Foundation and Hen House Studios. Our plan is to record a full length album,” Steinberger said.
He said one of the reasons he selected Kasambwe to go to United States of America was not only for their professionalism in the recording studio, but also for their high quality live performances.
“The Kasambwe Brothers are an absolute joy to watch and we are planning some additional shows for them when here in United States of America. I have strong sense the audiences here will love the band. Their music makes us want to get up and dance,” he said of Kasambwe, which performs in the streets and has performed several times at the Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session at Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre.
Deschamps, who is JCC director, said their goal at Sounds of Malawi Acoustic sessions, that take place on Thursdays, has always been to give a platform to local artists to have a chance to be heard by a wider audience.
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“So, when US music producer Harlan Steinberger offered last year to record and produce Keturah’s self-titled album at Hen House Studios in Los Angeles and this year to re-launch together with Mass Moca a Sounds of Malawi record label, we were thrilled,” he said.
He said with Steinberger spending two weeks recording artists, they decided to choose Kasambwe Band to travel to Mass Moca this coming November.
“First they are a highly talented and experienced band playing traditional music from Malawi with instruments that they make themselves. Their music attracts people, make them dance, while at the same time highlighting and preserving Malawi cultural heritage,” Deschamps said.
He said since Kasambwe started their music, they have never had an opportunity to travel outside the country to perform their music to other audiences.
“We feel they deserve that chance to share their talents and get wider recognition while also putting Malawian music on the map. For Sounds of Malawi, Kasambwe Brothers travelling to United States of America means opening more doors to other artists from Malawi,” he said.
Deschamps further revealed that next year they are planning together with Steinberger, Ben Mankhamba and Waliko Makhala to travel to rural areas in the country and record traditional sounds and songs of local acts in their home villages.
Kennedy said Sunday that, as Kasambwe, they never saw it that they would have a chance to travel to USA.
“Glory be to God almighty. This is huge for us. We are thankful to all players that have made it possible for us to travel to United States of America including Jacaranda,” he said.
