Cosmas Magaya

Cosmas Magaya (5 October 1953 – 10 July 2020[1]) was a Zimbabwean mbira musician.[2]

Cosmas Magaya
Background information
Born(1953-10-05)October 5, 1953
Mhondoro-Ngezi, Southern Rhodesia
DiedJuly 10, 2020(2020-07-10) (aged 66)
Harare, Zimbabwe
Occupation(s)Musician, teacher
Instrument(s)Mbira
Websitehumwe.org

Background

Raised in the rural areas of Mhondoro-Ngezi, Magaya played a role in the research of musicologist Paul Berliner's books The Soul of Mbira (1978), The Art of Mbira (2019), coauthored with Berliner Mbira's Restless Dance (2020) and also performed mbira on the accompanying Soul of Mbira audio recordings released by Nonesuch Records. Magaya performed internationally in Europe and the United States with Mhuri Yekwa Rwizi, and the Zimbabwe Group Leaders Mbira Ensemble, including members Hakurotwi Mude, Beauler Dyoko, Chaka Chawasarira, Simon Magaya and Paul Berliner.[3]

Magaya died from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe on 10 July 2020.

Leadership positions

Aside from his activities in music, Magaya was also Program Director for Nhimbe for Progress, a non-profit organization serving impoverished villagers in the Mhondoro region of Zimbabwe, and he sat on the Board of Directors of Tariro, a grassroots non-profit organization working in Zimbabwe to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS by educating young women and girls. Cosmas Magaya was also the Village Head of Magaya/Zvidzai Village under Chief Nherera of Mhondoro.[4]

References
  1. Pareles, Jon (21 July 2020). "Cosmas Magaya, Musician and Teacher of African Traditions, Dies at 66". New York Times. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  2. Pareles, Jon (9 November 1999). "Ancient Resonance in Twinkling Syncopations". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  3. Curiel, Jonathan (31 August 2001). "CD series showcases international music's lasting influence". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  4. Berliner, Paul (21 September 1999). "National USA "Soul of Mbira" Tour featuring the Zimbabwe Group Leaders Mbira Ensemble". Duke University. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2014.


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