Samaita Vitalis Botsa

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‘Samaita’ Vitalis Wilbert Botsa grew up in a Zimbabwean village family of traditional Shona singers and mbira players, and is one of the most outstanding improvisers within the tradition today. An extremely accomplished mbira player and singer, he creates complex waves of sound seemingly impossible from the two thumbs and one finger used to play mbira. Very traditional in his relationship to the ‘music of the ancestors’, Botsa has performed at important ceremonies throughout Zimbabwe, and is featured on 7 albums. Samaita wowed audiences and students with his first US performances and workshops during 2015; and planned to tour the US more widely in 2020 (cancelled by pandemic). He teaches mbira at Chidiya School near his village.