Chartwell’s Music

Performance

Denise and Ceceilia live on stage at Shambala Festival

Chartwell is well known for his charismatic performances and infectious music. Whether as a singer or instrumentalist, he excels at bringing European audiences together in their enjoyment of traditional Shona music.

"More to the point, this set of songs makes no nods to keyboard electronics, studio-generated beats, rapping, nor any of the hot trends of youth music in Africa. It honors a more classic era of tradition-based Zim-pop, and does so with the benefit of hindsight, excellent recording technology, and the guidance of a seasoned veteran of great and natural musicality. For fans of golden-era Afropop, this one’s a real find." Review of Dendere Ngoma [Music Nest]. Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org

Chartwell is recognised as a world-class soloist. He is a WOMAD Foundation recommended artist, performed at 'Live Aid: Africa Calling', and has composed and performed for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s award-winning ‘Breakfast with Mugabe’.

In addition to his work as a solo artist, Chartwell has collaborated on a diverse range of projects. As part of the UNHCR’s 50th anniversary celebrations he worked with refugees from across Africa, and most recently has composed and performed with the west-country-based Serenoa String Quartet.

Chartwell is interested in new fusion and collaboration projects. He is also available to perform at concerts and events solo, as a trio (with a second mbira and guitar), and with the band Spirit Talk Mbira. To discuss ideas and negotiate rates, please contact Chartwell.

Spirit Talk Mbira

Spirit Talk Mbira is a multi-national dance band incorporating the sounds of mbira and featuring musicians from Europe and Zimbabwe. Their music takes traditional mbira and Shona folk songs into a new dimension, adapting them onto guitar, bass, and horns, but always staying rooted in the mbira tradition. This is both music to dance to and music for reflection – high energy and deep spirit.

"Spirit Talk Mbira assert themselves with a spirit and confidence that many Zimbabwean bands would do well to emulate" Songlines

Spirit Talk Mbira can provide a vibrant addition to your concert, festival, wedding or corporate event. Rates dependent on number of musicians, for more details contact Chartwell.

Spirit Talk Mbira is Chartwell plus Christopher Morphitis, Laurence Corns, Max de Wardener, Tom Skinner, Denise Rowe, Cecilia Ndlovu.

• Dendere Ngoma (Music Nest)

  

  Chartwell Dutiro

  released: 2010

  Spirt Talk Mbira is an international group of musicians who have been together for 13 years.They are able to address many of the contemporary issues that face huminity today-social justice,interdependance and diversity.They use Mbira music as a tool to engange people with commonalities that hide behind visible differences such as skin tone. Chartwell Dutiro,the leader and the founder member of Spirit Talk Mbira band,is able to challenge stereotypes that can be embedded in Southern musicians work,as well as to encourage creative engagement. Chartwell with Spirit Talk Mbira band competently sets the Mbira and it’s music into context,essential in moving away from the ‘exotic’ associated with musicians from the South,whilst again challenging the stereotype of African mixed with European performers.

  “From the opening riff of the first track you know immediately that you are in for a cracker of an Album. Lyrical guitars driving percussion and intense and powerful vocals lead you into a creation of quality.” fRoots Magazine

  “Hypnotic,gently ambiguous rhythms and an unaffected purity of sounds….utterly beguiling!” The Times

  “This is the latest from Chartwell Dutiro’s Spirit Talk Mbira and it is a great album. Zunde starts it off with lovely guitar sounds and a great rhythm. Taisireva (track 3 ) has the familiar wonderful mbira sound and as for track 4 - Shumba ya Mukwashi - all I can say is if you need to unwind for the stress of life and everything, this is the track to do it to, just beautiful. Track 10 - Dendere Ngoma is another one that stands out for the the interplay between the guitar pieces. All I can say to sum up is YOU ALL need to hear this album.” Dave Eckersall

  1. Zunde - . Buy this track online
  2. Machangwa - . Buy this track online
  3. Taisireva - . Buy this track online
  4. Shumba ya Mukwashi - . Buy this track online
  5. Huyai Muone - . Buy this track online
  6. Kana Ndazofa - . Buy this track online
  7. Nzenza - . Buy this track online
  8. Tatenda - . Buy this track online
  9. Huku ine Ronda - . Buy this track online
  10. Dendere Ngoma - . Buy this track online

• Chivaraidze

  

  Chartwell Dutiro

  released: 2008

  1. Bangiza - Chartwell Dutiro.
  2. Nhemamusasa - Chartwell Dutiro.
  3. Marenje - Chartwell Dutiro.
  4. Mhondoro - Chartwell Dutiro.
  5. Nyama Musango - Chartwell Dutiro.
  6. Mahororo - Chartwell Dutiro.
  7. Shanje - Chartwell Dutiro.
  8. Changamire - Chartwell Dutiro.
  9. Chipindura - Chartwell Dutiro.
  10. Taireve - Chartwell Dutiro.
  11. Karimu Gomba - Chartwell Dutiro.
  12. Musengu - Chartwell Dutiro.

• TaTenDa

  

  Chartwell Dutiro

  released: 2005

  1. Changamire - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.
  2. Hunde Kunde - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.
  3. Nzenza - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.
  4. Gamura Makaka - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.
  5. Tatenda - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.
  6. Machena - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.
  7. Zisa Mukange - Chartwell Dutiro with Chris Morphitis.

• TAANERIMWE: SPIRIT TALK MBIRA LIVE

  

  Chartwell Dutiro

  released: 2002

  1. Maringa - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  2. Chuma - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  3. Gudo - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  4. Mukanga Poto - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  5. Sekuru - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  6. Mutii - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  7. Mashangwa - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  8. Zimbabwe - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  9. Surudzo Pahuva - Spirit Talk Mbira.
  10. Chikende - Spirit Talk Mbira.