Thomas Mapfumo June 26, 2009

Santa Fe Brewing Company

37 Fire Place 
(Just Off NM Highway 14)

7:30 pm
Before Thomas Mapfumo, who cut his teeth playing Otis Redding and Elvis Presley covers as a teenager, all of Zimbabwe's homegrown music was made using rhythms that had been passed down for generations. The "Lion of Zimbabwe" was first to break this tradition, creating his own style of music—chimurenga, which means struggle—to accompany lyrics that called for the violent overthrow of his country's white minority rule. Mapfumo was dispatched to prison camp on charges of subversion in 1977. He arranged his release by agreeing to a special concert for his country's political leaders, but then played them only his most indignant material.
Mapfumo formed Blacks Unlimited after Zimbabwe's 1978 independence. The band's celebration songs turned to protest after Robert Mugabe was elected prime minister in 1980. (Mugabe later dissolved Zimbabwe's prime minister's office, and declared himself its president). The Lion of Zimbabwe, after years of harassment from Mugabe and his minions, moved to Oregon in the late 90s. Mapfumo continues to sing and speak out about the problems of Zimbabwe.
$18 in advance, $20 day of show.

Official Website: http://www.ampconcerts.org