Newton Cheza Chozengwa, commonly addressed by his totem name “Matemai” (elephant), is a respected master musician, singer and instrument maker from Zimbabwe. A self-taught musician, he has developed his own musical style with his complex mbira arrangements and striking voice that can pierce hearts and the heavens. Matemai was born 1952 in Mhondoro reserve, central Zimbabwe, and later moved to Dande, in the northeast to the region of the Korekore. At a young age, he was so taken with mbira music that he would constantly hear it, even when no one was playing nearby. It was also diffi… read more
Newton Cheza Chozengwa, commonly addressed by his totem name “Matemai” (elephant), is a respected master musician, singer and instrument maker from Zimbabwe. A self-taught musician, he has developed his own musical style with his complex mbira arrangements and striking voice that can pierce h… read more
Newton Cheza Chozengwa, commonly addressed by his totem name “Matemai” (elephant), is a respected master musician, singer and instrument maker from Zimbabwe. A self-taught musician, he has developed his own musical style with his complex mbira arrangements and striking voice that can pierce hearts and the heavens. Matemai was born 1952 in Mhondoro reserve, centr… read more