Amayenge
Encyclopedia
Amayenge is the name of a popular Zambian music group. Started by Kris Chali in 1978 in Choma, the band was originally called New Crossbones. The musical style of the group is called kalindula
, a distinctive Zambian popular style with traditional African roots. Chali died 30 May 2003, but the band has continued with Fraser Chilembo as their leader. Amayenge has received worldwide attention from WOMAD in London to Asia and the Americas. In the words of one author:
The band has continued to perform in Zambia and other southern African countries. Their membership has changed somewhat in recent years but news reports from the Times of Zambia, Zambian Post and Zambia Daily Mail routinely report their activities. A recent report is typical of news accounts of the band:
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=22982
Kalindula
is a Zambian musical style that was originally played on "banjos" , a 4-stringed bass (called 'mbabadoni' or 'kalindula'), [ngoma] drums, chisekele shakers and metal bells. Western guitars and percussion have replaced the homemade banjos and drum sets used previously
Current Band Members: Alice Chali (Dancer/Vocalist, Obert Chali (Vocalist/Dancer), Emmanuel Kayeji (Dancer/Vocalist), Bester Mudenda (Dancer/Vocalist), Jonathan Nthanga (Lead Guitar), Mathews Mulenga (Rhythm Guitar), Joseph Mwamba (Drums), Davy Muthali (Percussionist), Chabala Chitambo (Percussionist), Donald Njovu (Percussionist), Eddy Moto (Sound Engineer), Sam Chiluba (Bass)
Fraser Chilembo - Band Manager
The band is also included on the following recordings:
2005 - Ngoma Awards Festival, Best Band award (6th time to receive this award)
1993 - Best Band of the year at the Zambia International Trade Fair Show
June 29, 2001 - August 17, 2001
http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cgi?category=20&id=996166022
August 25, 2001 - November 23, 2001 - "Ngoma awards: Who grabs what?"
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=8.25.01-11.23.01
May 17, 2003 - December 19, 2003
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=5.17.03-12.19.03
August 20, 2004 - September 18, 2004
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=8.20.04-9.18.04
January 14, 2006 - February 17, 2006
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=1.14.06-2.17.06
Zambia Daily Mail:
http://www.zamnet.zm/newsys/news/viewnews.cgi?category=39&id=1135154959
Zambian Post - Thursday December 21, 2006
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=19788
"Artistes converge at Mumana for Valentines"
By Augustine Mukoka, Joseph Mwenda and Pictures Thomas Nsama
Thursday February 22, 2007
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=22982
Kalindula
Kalindula is a kind of bass guitar which gives its name to a style of popular music in southern-central Africa. It originated in the late 20th century and is popular in Zambia and is also found in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Some people claim it originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo but this...
, a distinctive Zambian popular style with traditional African roots. Chali died 30 May 2003, but the band has continued with Fraser Chilembo as their leader. Amayenge has received worldwide attention from WOMAD in London to Asia and the Americas. In the words of one author:
The band has continued to perform in Zambia and other southern African countries. Their membership has changed somewhat in recent years but news reports from the Times of Zambia, Zambian Post and Zambia Daily Mail routinely report their activities. A recent report is typical of news accounts of the band:
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=22982
Kalindula
Kalindula
Kalindula is a kind of bass guitar which gives its name to a style of popular music in southern-central Africa. It originated in the late 20th century and is popular in Zambia and is also found in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Some people claim it originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo but this...
is a Zambian musical style that was originally played on "banjos" , a 4-stringed bass (called 'mbabadoni' or 'kalindula'), [ngoma] drums, chisekele shakers and metal bells. Western guitars and percussion have replaced the homemade banjos and drum sets used previously
Current Band Members: Alice Chali (Dancer/Vocalist, Obert Chali (Vocalist/Dancer), Emmanuel Kayeji (Dancer/Vocalist), Bester Mudenda (Dancer/Vocalist), Jonathan Nthanga (Lead Guitar), Mathews Mulenga (Rhythm Guitar), Joseph Mwamba (Drums), Davy Muthali (Percussionist), Chabala Chitambo (Percussionist), Donald Njovu (Percussionist), Eddy Moto (Sound Engineer), Sam Chiluba (Bass)
Fraser Chilembo - Band Manager
Discography
- 1979. Ukuilondola. (meaning to introduce oneself). First single
- 1989. Amayenge. Amayenge. Brentford, Middlesex, England: Mondeca Records. LP recording
- 1991. Phone. Amayenge (Musical group). Amayenge. Ndola, Zambia: Teal Records. 1 sound cassette : analog.
- ____. Ichupo Ne n'ganda (marriage and a home).
- 2001. Amayenge, Part 1. Amayenge (Musical group). Lusaka, Zambia: Mondo Music Corp. Compact disc.
- 2004. Dailesit. - the last album recorded by Kris Chali before his death.
- 2005. Mangona Kulila ('The drums play')
- ____. Chipolopolo
- ____. Bangwele
- ____. Matenda
The band is also included on the following recordings:
- 1983, 2004. Zambush, Vol. 1 - Zambian hits from the '80s. Utrecht, the Netherlands: SWP Records. Compact disc.
- 1989. Zambiance. Compact disc.
- 2002. Sounds of Zambia, Volume 3. Lusaka, Zambia: Mondo Music Corp. Compact disc.
Awards
2007 - Brath Awards, Best Kalindula Band2005 - Ngoma Awards Festival, Best Band award (6th time to receive this award)
1993 - Best Band of the year at the Zambia International Trade Fair Show
Newspaper Articles
Zambia Times:June 29, 2001 - August 17, 2001
http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cgi?category=20&id=996166022
August 25, 2001 - November 23, 2001 - "Ngoma awards: Who grabs what?"
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=8.25.01-11.23.01
May 17, 2003 - December 19, 2003
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=5.17.03-12.19.03
August 20, 2004 - September 18, 2004
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=8.20.04-9.18.04
January 14, 2006 - February 17, 2006
http://www.times.co.zm/news/archives.cgi?category=20&view=1.14.06-2.17.06
Zambia Daily Mail:
http://www.zamnet.zm/newsys/news/viewnews.cgi?category=39&id=1135154959
Zambian Post - Thursday December 21, 2006
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=19788
"Artistes converge at Mumana for Valentines"
By Augustine Mukoka, Joseph Mwenda and Pictures Thomas Nsama
Thursday February 22, 2007
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=22982