Two shows have already been lined up for Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Brothers Band in United States of America (USA) ahead of their debut trip in November this year. The Blantyre-based group, which is based in Ndirande Township, will make their first trip to USA courtesy of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass Moca). According to an itinerary we have seen, the group is expected to perform in North Adams on November 16.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Director of Performing Arts, Sue Killam, said recently that Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Brothers Band, the trio of Fatsani Kennedy, Joseph Wayson Msofi and Konzani Chikwata, would, apart from performances, travel to the museum to record and present a community sharing of a musical album from November 7 to December 7 2024. Mass Moca has partnered Jacaranda Foundation and Hen House Studios, led by Harlan Steinberger, to bring the group to USA. Steinberger, who recorded Keturah’s self-titled album, said yesterday that two shows have been lined up for the band at the moment, with one week of recording.
He said his recent visit to Malawi to record at Jacaranda Studios at Chigumula in Blantyre under the direction of Luc Deschamps and Marie Da Silva proved to be successful and that it surpassed all his expectations. Steinberger said Malawian musicians have proved to be talented and proficient in the studio and that he was inspired by Kukana Kuba Kasambwe, which was among the acts that he recorded. “They were great to work with and I am excited that they are coming to the United States of America this November to record with me again in connection with Studio 9, Mass Moca, Jacaranda Foundation, The Fresh Grass Foundation and Hen House Studios,” he said.
The Grammy nominated producer said one of the reasons he selected the group to go to USA is not only for their professionalism in the recording studio, but also for their high quality live performances. “They are an absolute joy to watch. I have strong sense the audiences here will love the band.
Their music makes us want to get up and dance,” he said. On the songs he recorded at Jacaranda Studios, Steinberger said he is still mixing them and that he is hopeful that he would release the compilation album with many of the acts before the end of the year. Deschamps, who is Jacaranda Cultural Centre Director, said their goal at Sounds of Malawi Acoustic sessions– which are held every Thursday– is to give local artists the platform to be heard by a wider audience.
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