"...they're an exciting and unique blend of African rythms and Latin flavours.....truly something special" - Hopeton Gordon, BBC (The A.C.E Show)
Demachena-a faction of the larger ensemble Dimeiwe-is a young trio of musicians who have produced a distinctive blend of African, Arabic and Latin music while incorporating a host of other unique styles to produce a truly intriguing concoction of “world musicâ€.
The name of the group means “black and white†a name derived from the Shona people whose Mbira tradition has been a major influence on the bands own music and performance style. Having also spent significant periods in the Sahara desert, Mali and India-filming documentaries on regional culture and traditional music-the exquisite influences from these regions are evident in their music.
The trio comprises of:
Luis Gimenez an ethnomusicologist, composer, “Gwenyambira†(Master Mbira player) and Spanish guitar maestro. Antonio Prats (formerly of La Negra) an electrifying percussionist and founder of the illustrious Spanish-based percussive orchestra “Batukm Takada†& Rugare Musikavanhu accomplished instrumentalist and vocalist.
Demachena’s dynamic performances are a fascinating musical journey from Flamenco to Central African Katanga styles complimented by the mastery of rare ethnic (mbira, didgeridoo, udu, ngoni...) and contemporary instruments and punctuated by lyrics in an array of languages producing what is a truly incomparable, captivating and exhilarating show.
Their talents have been rewarded by headlining at major "world music" festivals in Spain and most recently Demachena's musical achievements were recognised by a nomination to the “Fundacion Canal de Isabel II†awards in Madrid in May 2008-a prestigious award, that recognises the talents of musicians across all genres in music.
Demachena-trio es el fragmento de una banda más grande llamada Dimeiwe, grupo que ha producido una distintiva mezcla de música africana, árabe y latina, produciendo un intrigante “world-beatâ€.El nombre del grupo significa “blanco y negro†y deriva del shona (idioma mas hablado de zimbaue) de la que proviene la tradición de mbira dz.vadzimu;la mayor influencia del trio y en su manera de tocar con otros instrumentos.
Los miembros del grupo han estado periodos significativos en el sahara, Mali y la India filmando documentales sobre las culturas y músicas regionales del lugar. Estas influencias tan exquisitas son evidentes en Demachena.
Los componentes del grupo son:
Luis Giménez: etnomusicólogo, compositor, â€gwenyambira†(maestro de la mbira) y guitrarrsita en un gran rango de estilos africanos(chimurenga, soukous, mande, wasssoulou, haul, malagasy, jazz, bosanova, flamenco, etc.)
Antonio Prats: gran percusionista y mbirista del grupo y ha tocado con “la negra,†Fabio Miano y otros grandes del jazz al igual que dentro del world music.
Rugare Musikavanhu: gran vocalista al igual que guitarrista, didjeridoo.
Los conciertos de Demachena son un viaje lleno de dinámicas desde la rumba, a la guitarra Katanga de Ãfrica central, al ngoni, udu, etc. Cantan en mas de cinco idiomas produciendo un incomparable y cautivador show.
Su talento ha sido reconocido en diversos festivales y premios com “Audiciones 08†(Madrid) y Festival Etnomusic (Valencia). A finales del año 2008 tienen su primer tour en el Reino Unido.
