Our band comes together to play both traditional and contemporary african songs on marimba, mbira, drums and voices. Young musicians and adults connect to play this joyful music. Kuungana is a Swahili word that means to connect or to join. Listeners often call this happy music and people of all ages respond to it with delight and enthusiasm.
We play this amazing music for the joy it brings to us and to those who join us to listen, dance and enjoy. The lead marimba carries the musical storyline, the other marimbas carry the melodic patterns that weave through the song and the traditional “hosho” or gourd rattles, hold the driving beat. It all comes together in a tapestry of music guaranteed to get you out of your seat and your feet moving to the wonderful rhythms and sound.
Our teachers have included Zimbabweans such as Sheasby Matiure, Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa, Lucky Moyo, Alport Mslanga, Zivanai Masango, Abel Mafulini and many others. We also have had many North American teachers who have studied under Zimbabweans.
The biggest thrill is taking a song we have learned and making it ours. We add percussion, singing, movement and dynamic variations to make listening and dancing to our music even more fun.
JOHN HATTEN
Since childhood I have enjoyed folk and classical music and have played many instruments including cello, recorder, piano, guitar, banjo, mbira and marimba. I became enthralled with polyrhythmic sounds of Africa and especially the bands inspired by Dumi Maraire. I have played with various marimba bands over the last 20 years with Juba Marimba and Kuungana being the most significant.
DEB DOLE
My love of this music began in 1988 in Seattle dancing to Dumi Maraire’s band. It enchanted me with its rhythms and danceability. I love the physicality of playing these wonderful instruments. I am taken with the culture from which this music came and the way that it is being passed along to the next generations.
I have played in a number of marimba performing bands since I started playing about 20 years ago. I have directed several youth marimba bands as well – the longest running/most performance based was the Big Bad Monkeys!
RACHAEL BARROW
RJ started learning marimba music down in Eugene, Oregon when they were 8 years old at the Kutsinira Center.
After a long break during adolescence, they rejoined the music scene with Kuungana when they moved up to Bellingham. They have enjoyed playing with the band the past few years, gaining friends and confidence in music.
TAMI DUBOW
I was first exposed to African music listening to a drum circle from my dorm at UC Santa Cruz. Once I realized I could actually be part of it, I was hooked. I drummed and danced through college, but didn’t have the opportunity to continue once I moved for grad school to Utah.
The seed was planted, and I was able to travel to Africa and spend some time in Zimbabwe in the late 90’s. It remains the favorite place I’ve travelled, and I've stayed in touch with friends I made while there.
When I was given the opportunity to learn and play marimba, I leapt at it and could not be happier. I’ve been playing with Kuungana since 2023 and am loving the chance to help expose people to Zimbabwean music. It is joyful, and extremely fun and challenging to play. I’ve dabbled in many other instruments, most recently playing electric bass with The Meanderthals. I’m very excited to continue to learn and honor the marimba. It is NEVER too late to learn something new.
KATE ELLIOTT
I first heard marimba music at the Portland Saturday Market in 1988. Balafon was playing and the crowd was going wild! After experiencing the exhilaration, joy and irresistible impulse to dance that day, I knew I wanted to learn how to play.
Thus began my marimba journey with Portland teachers Kite Gedraitis and Pete Swing. Eventually, I became a part of the band, Zuva, from its roots until 1997, when I moved on to the next chapter of my life elsewhere.
After a 27 year break, I am thrilled to be playing again and living here in Bellingham! I love how playing music drops me into the present moment, the physicality of playing it, and the community it cultivates. I am excited to experience the joy of it again from a new and different life perspective.
ALISSA JEAN-BAPTISTE
Music has always been a source of pure joy for Alissa. Whether dancing, composing, or performing, this self-taught artist can’t resist making and dancing to vibrant sounds.
She has played in bands spanning jazz, indie pop, folk, and church music, focusing on electric bass, mandolin, keyboards, and vocals.
Years ago, Alissa stumbled upon a free university performance of Zimbabwean marimba and was instantly hooked by its joyful, intricate, rhythmic melodies. She started learning with Kono Renzou in Seattle before the pandemic and is now playing with Kuungana in Bellingham, WA. She's thrilled to be back at it, exploring the music and rich history of this beautiful genre.