For all of the joy within its grooves, however, Tamba's arrival is bittersweet. Wild's chief collaborator on the recording, the brilliant young vocalist and guitarist Sam Mtukudzi, son of Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi, passed away in a car accident in March of this year at the age of 21. Instead of providing a wider introduction to his gifts, Sam's prominence on Tamba stands as a coda to a life and career cut short much too soon. That said, Sam Mtukudzi's presence shines throughout Tamba with the kind of optimism and hope true to the nature of his fellow Zimbabweans.
They are a very optimistic people, even in times of crisis," says Wild. In every other country there would have been a coup, rebellion or civil war. But not in Zim. It is a peaceful nation and miraculously people find a way to make ends meet against all odds. Often music is the only thing people have left after everything else has been taken."
This ambitious cross-Atlantic collaboration is executed beautifully by Max Wild and his crew of brilliant musicians, including Massimo Biolcati (acoustic bass), Michael Olatuja (electric bass), Jesse Lewis (lead guitar), Soren Moller (keys), Obed Calvaire (drums), Sam Felo (backing vocals and percussion), Chris Berry (mbira and congas), and guest vocals from Sam Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso and Alicia Olatuja.
Max Wild will perform at Nublu in New York City on June 20 to celebrate the Tamba's release. In July he'll join Chiwoniso on a summer tour as a featured guest around the East Coast and Canada, including appearances at City Folk Festival, Ottawa Blues Festival, Afrofest and Grass Roots Festival.
MAX WILD NYC Album Release Show:
June 20 | Nublu | New York, NY
CHIWONISO featuring MAX WILD Tour Dates:
July 1 | TBA | Pittsburgh, PA
July 2 | TBA | Columbus, OH
July 3 | City Folk Festival | Dayton, OH
July 10 | Warwick Arts Festival | Warwick, NY
July 11 | Afrofest | Toronto, CANADA
July 14 | Festival International Nuits d'Afrique | Montreal, CANADA
July 15 | Ottawa Blues Festival | Ottawa, CANADA
July 16 | TBA | Burlington, VT
July 17 | Celebrate Brooklyn | Brooklyn, NY
July 21 | Museum Of Fine Art | Boston, MA
July 22 | Le Poisson Rouge | New York, NY
July 24 | Grass Roots Festival | Trumansburg, NY
July 25 | Grass Roots Festival | Trumansburg, NY
For more information contact Calabro Music.