Kutandara fuses ancient African music traditions with indie-pop, rock, jazz, gospel, classical, and world folk influences. Their exuberant and hi-energy polyrhythmic performances manage to be innovative and deeply-rooted at the same time. Kutandara means to come together and have a good time, which is the group’s purpose as they exchange energy of music and movement with their audiences.
“Kutandara showcases the best world music talent.”
—The Boulder Weekly
Kutandara has performed at the Boulder and Aggie Theaters, Boulder Creek Festival, Colorado Performing Arts Festival, and many other festivals and concert series around the front range.
“Kutandara pounds out infectious polyrhythms . . . the music is irresistible.”
— New West Magazine
- Listen to some sample tracks from their latest album
- Check out some footage of their live concerts
- Like and follow them on facebook
- Book Kutandara for your next event
“Kutandara is all about having fun.”
—Colorado Daily
The Bands
Kutandara Kombi
3 marimbas, electric mbira, drum set, hosho, guitar, vocals
Kutandara Kombi is our “little” band (just like a kombi is a little bus…or mini van…in developing countries). Our footprint is smaller, our instrumentation is scaled down, but you won’t miss the big sound. Audiences will hear drum set, electric mbira, guitar, electric bass, and percussion along with a 3-piece marimba trio in a Kutandara Kombi concert. Kutandara Kombi plays a mix of traditional Shona mbira tunes, contemporary Zimbabwean pop songs, and an eclectic variety of current top forty jams.
Kutandara paGomo Guru
7 marimbas…straight up!
Kutandara paGomoGuro is our professional 7-piece marimba orchestra, including bass, baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano marimbas. The sound is pure marimba, as it is taught and performed in Zimbabwe. Gomo Guru means “big mountain”…and this is our signature marimba band. If marimba is the sound you are looking for, Kutandara paGomo Guru is your band!
Kutandara Marimba Experience
7 marimbas, drum set, hosho, vocals…and more!
Kutandara Marimba Experience is our biggest sound, with a stage full of musicians. Audiences will hear drum set, electric mbira, guitar, electric bass, and percussion along with the 7-piece marimba orchestra in a Kutandara Marimba Experience concert. You never know what will happen!
The Musicians
Daniel Lockley
mbira, marimba, bass guitar
Daniel began playing Zimbawean music at age 10, learning first from local teachers Steven Golovnin, Peter Swing, and Dan Pauli, and later from other visiting artists including Chris Berry, Mike Cox, Cosmas Magaya, Zivanai Masango, and Musekiwa Chingodza.
After several years of learning, Daniel was ready to perform, playing with every group he could find and eventually touring the country with Jaka Marimba, Stella Chiweshe, and the Andé Marimba Band. He now calls Boulder, Colorado, home and plays out every chance he gets.
Randy McIntosh
marimba, mbira
Randy started out as on piano and cello, but as soon as he heard African drumming in college, he was hooked. What a better way to combine his years of classical keyboard training and new-found love of African drumming rhythms than the Zimbabwean marimba? As you can see from his picture, he loves performing!
Randy graduated from Colorado State University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in music, and from the University of Colorado in 1996 with a master’s degree in music composition.
Amy Stewart McIntosh
marimba, vocals, hosho
Amy began studying piano at age 6, dance at age 8, woodwinds at age 10, and theater at age 12. She could usually be found on her parent’s fireplace ledge in the living room belting out songs while forcing her younger siblings to be the “audience.” By the time Amy left home, she had already marched in the University of Michigan’s Marching Band (Go Blue!), tap danced and sang in show choirs, swung from trapezes in community theater musical productions, and landed several paid, professional teaching (saxophone) and solo singing gigs (she’s an alto).
Her favorite place to be is in front of an audience sharing her love of music and performance. Amy is adept at many African instruments, but especially loves marimba and hosho, and plays both with style and grace.
Jon Stubbs
drum kit, vocals, bass, horns
Multi-instrumentalist Jon Stubbs performs and composes music for a variety of ensembles, theater & dance productions, and television series. Beyond his work with Kutandara, he is also a founding member of the internationally-acclaimed instrumental group Hamster Theatre and sits in on bass guitar at BDT Stage.
Jon has taught instrumental music at September School and Alexander Dawson School and continues to teach privately in Lafayette and Boulder. He is passionate about helping students reach new artistic levels with their instruments. Jon also loves to explore music and sound through composition, arranging, and recording.
Doug Beltman
marimba
Doug started playing the marimba after his daughter began taking classes at Kutandara and he became infected by the music. Although he played several instruments as a child and teen, as an adult he had fed his love of music mostly through listening and watching (until marimba came along!). He loves the beauty, power, and infectiousness of the polyrhythms in Zimbabwean music, the music’s deep cultural history, and how it magically creates connections among the musicians…and between the musicians and the audience.
Charlie Keziah
marimba
Charlie has been playing marimba since 2004 and started playing at the age of 5. Over the years, he has expanded his musical capabilities to include mbira, drum kit, and western percussion instruments such as classical marimba and vibraphone. Charlie loves to connect with others through a shared passion for music.
Tina Lewis
marimba
Music has always been an integral part of Tina’s life. She has played a range of western instruments, but now focuses her time on marimba, singing, and the gourd rattles hosho. Tina had an inspirational experience years ago when she heard Zimbabwean artist Thomas Mapfumo in concert for the first time. Mapfumo’s captivating music touched her deeply, but she had no idea that years later this Zimbabwean-style music would revisit her in Boulder, Colorado. She discovered Kutandara in 2009 and couldn’t enroll in classes fast enough! Playing this lively energetic music brings immense joy and fulfillment to her life. Her favorite aspects about this music are its ancient roots, its healing quality, and the rich community it creates. She loves performing and hopes she can inspire others to engage in this music.
Julia Nelson
marimba
Julia Nelson began playing marimba at school in 3rd grade. After falling in love with the music, she started taking classes at Kutandara Center. She is now 17 years old, a senior in high school, and has been performing since 2012. Aside from marimba, Julia enjoys photography and playing trombone and euphonium.
Miles Posen
marimba
Having branched out from the corporate world, Miles is delighted to be channeling his passion and creativity into Zimbabwean marimba music. While he has played many instruments since early childhood, none has resonated with him as deeply as the marimba. The fun, upbeat, polyrhythmic music brings joy, energy, and excitement to his spirit. Miles was first introduced to marimba by his daughter who has been in the marimba community for nearly a decade.
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