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3rd Generation Presents: Marimba Magic
The marimba is a musical instrument in the percussion family. Keys or bars (usually made of wood) are struck with mallets to produce musical tones.  In Africa, most, marimbas are made by local artisans from locally available materials. The keys are arranged as those of a piano, with the accidentals raised vertically and overlapping the natural keys to aid the performer both visually and physically.

The band Azumah ( Azumah is a Swahili word meaning love, peace and happiness)  formed in 1955 and comprised of a number of Marimba players, African drummers, percussionists, vocalists and African dancers. The group has appeared in numerous films, had dozens of TV appearances and recorded many albums over the years.  They were the major traditional music contribution for the African musical “Sikulu” which ran in Johannesburg for 8 months and subsequently had two season in Cape Town before setting off on a 18 nations worldwide tour which lasted several years. During that tour Azumah had a long season in London and played in the USA. A number of Azumah members appeared in the internationally acclaimed theatre production  “Ipi Tombi” both locally and in London.

In 1998, Azumah's band members increased from nine to sixteen and included a 25 piece band. The group toured Canada and Saud Arabia and performed for Arnold Schwarzenegger's family at Sun City. The group included traditional melodies and dances in their programme. In 1995 they had the honour  to be chosen as the main traditional group to perform at Nelson Mandela’s 77th birthday celebration at Gold Reef City. They also completed two very successful tours in Japan and Europe and  performed at Jean Claude van Damme’s wedding at Sun City.

3rd Generation was formed in 2004, consisting of three members, Themba Hlope, Thulani Tshabalala and Thokozani Ziqubu. The band first started by playing marimba instrumental tracks and cover versions and later included percussionists, vocalist and dancers. The band freelanced with different marimba bands
such as Afrida Marimba Band, Akwaaba Marimba Band, Six Mabone Marimba Band, Bayeza Cultural Group and Amasiko Marimba Band performing at corporate gigs, on big stages and at various festivals including the 50th Celebration of the freedom charter in Kliptown and private functions, wedding ceremonies, promotions and awards ceremonies.

Be charmed by the unique and delicate sounds of the marimba. Harking back to the earliest peoples' instincts to strike objects that produced musical tones, the marimba has an essential place in African musical tradition and culture. This album includes the fundamentals of the band mixing it with great vocals and percussions as well as brilliant marimba magic!