Shona mbira music is one of the most soulful sounds on the African continent. Originally used in spirit possession ceremonies, the iron-pronged mbira produces melodies beautiful enough to draw in the spirits—and rhythmically charged enough to keep people dancing throughout the night.

Maputi reinvents these deep musical traditions with a New York edge. Trained by mbira masters of Zimbabwe, Maputi breathes new life into songs passed down through generations. Hypnotic mbira melodies collide with the pulse of West African flute, violin lines echoing mbira patterns, driving percussion, and layered vocal harmonies—pushing into uncharted territory for a sound that’s both traditional and unexpected.

“The best mbira fusion I've ever heard!"

— Jennifer Kyker, mbira scholar, ethnomusicologist, author of “Oliver Mtukudzi: Living Tuku Music in Zimbabwe,” and professor at Eastman School of Music.

Nora Balaban – mbira, vocals
Susan Rapalee – mbira, vocals
Rima Fand – violin, vocals
Sylvain Leroux – Fula flute, vocals
Nari Emeline Cerman Zechman – djembe, vocals
Stuart Zechman – hosho, vocals

Photo by Bob Krasner