Fulbright-mtvU Fellows

Easter Bash at the Beach

April 13, 2010

A few weekends ago I had the privilege of playing with Peter Mawanga at Lake Malawi as part of the Sunbird Hotel’s Easter Bash weekend. Braai meat, a pristine beach, and huge stage-it couldn’t have been more perfect. The show was emceed by Malawian reggae icon Sally Nyundo who is featured on “Sungani Mwambo,” Peter’s current hit single taken from Paphiri ndi Padambo, which is dominating radio airwaves right now. Here are some pictures taken from that performance by my fellow musician/friend Andy Kerkhoff:

Yesterday, Andy and myself had a great jam session with two Malawian friends in the most unlikely of places….the market. To fully appreciate this scene, its necessary to have an idea of what a Malawian market feels like, looks like…smells like…sounds like. Imagine the center of commerce in any major city with all its chaos, arguments, tension and rapid exchange of money and opinions. Its busy, crowded, and has its share of characters…many of whom we were to meet. As chaotic a picture as I may paint, for many a vendor, going to the market is just another day at the office and life teeters on the edge of tedium. So when two white guys with instruments and two Malawians with guitars slung over their shoulders walk up and ask to play in front of your barbecue stand, the most logical response seems to be “why not?” After all, it’ll be better for business right?
› Continue reading

Tags: Andy Kerkhoff, Black Missionaries, Bob Dylan, Body, Konga-vibes, Kumbali Cultural Center, Mafilika, Mind & Soul, Music Crossroads, Oliver Mtukudzi, Peter Mawanga, Sally Nyundo, Van Morrison, Wambali