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Biography
At an early age, Forward borrowed an mbira and, with no teacher other than occasional radio programs, began to play on his own. In 1984, Kwenda moved to Zimbabwe's capital city of Harare and began to play mbira with other musicians. Within a year, he had formed his own mbira group and was making records and performing on national radio, as well as performing constantly at mapira ceremonies. During this period, he was informed by powerful rain-making spirits that he was to devote his life to playing mbira for their ceremonies. He was particularly known as a teenager for bringing the desired spirits to a ceremony by the end of the first song he played at a ceremony. By 1985, Forward was playing in a unique complex style - much to the amazement of master mbira players two and three generations his senior. This style, considered in Shona culture to be "more ancient" because spirits prefer it, was first recorded in 1985 and 1986 by his American friend Glenn Makuna (see MBIRA tapes nos. 56, 57, 58, 143), who dubbed Kwenda "the Coltrane of Mbira music is one of those rare combinations of sound and vibration with the objective power to change the state of performers and listeners, regardless of their thoughts on the subject - similar to ancient chants and sacred musics of other parts of the world. Forward's music is a powerful example of this. The soulful and bluesy sound of his personal style also makes it more accessible for some listeners new to mbira music. Asked about his experience of playing mbira, Forward responds: "When I pick up my mbira, I don't know what is going to happen. The music just goes by itself, taking me higher and higher until I can end up crying because the music is so much greater than a human being can understand." and "I just have to get out of the way so spirits can make my mbira play - it isn't me - I'm just amazed." In 1997, Kwenda toured the US with Erica Azim, and recorded the Shanachie CD Svikiro: Meditations of an Mbira Master. 1n 1999, a transcendent field recording of Kwenda on a Zimbabwean mountaintop at sunset was included on Ellipsis Arts' Trance 3 CD. In February 2000, Kwenda performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC with Erica Azim, and they toured North America during 2000, 2001 and 2002. The MBIRA Recordings Library includes several recordings of Kwenda. Recordings Available From MBIRACDs CD 1002 Forward Kwenda - Svikiro: Meditations of an Mbira Master In Zimbabwe, a savannah land of tall grasses, granite hills and acacia trees, rain is of paramount importance. The svikiro is a human keeper of a spirit which has the power to provide or withhold rain from the land. In his early teens, Forward Kwenda was selected by these rainmaking spirits to sing and play the ancient mbira dzavadzimu at ceremonies. A self-taught, intuitive musical prodigy, Forward was in constant demand to perform and record within two years of starting to play the mbira. "When I pick up my mbira, I don't know what is going to happen..he music just goes by itself, taking me higher and higher until I can end up crying because the music is so much greater than a human being can understand." This is the first Forward Kwenda CD; Erica Azim plays with Forward on some cuts. Extensive liner notes. (Shanachie 1997, now out of print. MBIRA has all remaining new copies for sale) 1. Kanhurura CD 3457 Forward Kwenda 2006 - Bass Nemakonde Tuning Its almost impossible to believe that one person, playing one time, could make so much music with two thumbs and one finger! Of course, Forward Kwenda, considered by many to be the greatest living mbira player today, says that his spirits play the mbira, not him, 'How could a human being think of that?' In Zimbabwe, ancient spirits come to help the living before Kwenda can finish playing one mbira piece; thus, his mbira style is considered to be more ancient than other styles. Here, he is playing on an extremely low Nemakonde tuning mbira, a third lower than his previous Nemakonde recordings - turn up the bass on your CD player and sink into the deep sounds of Forward's musical prayers...powerful medicine... Recorded 7 June 2006 at Mbizi Game Park, Zimbabwe by Erica Azim. Tuning: Bass Nemakonde. [Total time: 79:43] 1. Shumba [17:30] 2. Mauya mauya [11:00] 3. Nyama musango [7:44] 4. Marenje [9:43] 5. Muzazaranda [12:08] 6. Tadzungaira [21:16] CD 3419 Spirit Power: Forward Kwenda 2002 Once again, the spirits of the ancestors work their magical power through the thumbs of Forward Kwenda, as he 'gets out of the way' and lets it happen. Its fascinating to hear Forward start playing a piece, and then hear the spirits take over. You will find your heart soaring, find yourself crying, laughing, exalting in the divine. Even for those experienced in mbira music, each piece goes farther than one ever imagined... Recorded 30 March 2002. Tuning: Gandanga/Mavembe. [Total time: 64:52] CD 3418 Forward Kwenda - Dambatsoko Tuning 2002 Never before released, this unusual recording features transcendant mbira player Forward Kwenda playing in Dambatsoko tuning. That this low-pitched tuning is not one he usually plays makes no difference at all, as spirits take his fingers dancing through mbira standanrds and a couple of unusual pieces. Forward's gentle vocals alternate between low, low bass lines and high, sweet lines...almost as if two people were singing. Recorded 17 April 2002. Tuning: Dambatsoko. [Total time: 69:58] CD 3400 Chakwi - Forward Kwenda 2001 "Chakwi" or "Machakwi" is a marshy place. 2001 was a marshy, mucky time in history for both Zimbabwe (economic collapse, political violence, AIDS catastrophe) and the U.S. (recession, terrorism, hate). The healing qualities of mbira music have never been more important. As Forward puts it, "If everyone in the world played mbira, there would always be peace." On this recording, Forward Kwenda plays solo nyamaropa tuning mbira in a very, very high pitch, contrasting with his deep pitched soulful vocals for a uniquely beautiful texture. One highlight is Kambiriviri, which sounds like Tadzungaira met Taireva. It puts your ears inside Forward's deze (calabash mbira resonator).
CD 3401 Nighttime Nemakonde - Forward Kwenda 2001 The low, low luscious full sound of Forward's Nemakonde tuning mbira makes this recording favorite nighttime listening. Gentle singing perfectly complements the mbira as it moves through many moods: meditative, lively, grounded, passionate. This recording was made around 1 am, prime mbira time for a musician used to playing at the all-night mapira (ceremonies) used to call ancestors and other benevolent spirits in Zimbabwe.
CD 3405 Nemakonde Through The Night – Forward Kwenda 2002 This sequel to last year’s popular Nighttime Nemakonde (MBI 3401) again features the low, low luscious sound of Forward’s Nemakonde tuning and moving vocals. This one will touch your heart. After a year which included the deaths of his mother and best friend, share the comfort Forward finds with his favorite mbira in this intimate middle of the night recording. As always, many of his lyrics are asking the spirits for peace, light and wisdom. CD 3309 Katsanzaira Tuning Collection - Forward Kwenda 2000 Katsanzaira is a sweet high mbira tuning -- the name refers to the first gentle rain before a storm hits. The Dorian mode intervals of this tuning give a haunting flavor to many mbira pieces. This recording includes standards from the ancient Shona mbira repertoire, and an unusual piece, Zvarambwa, which has a 22 beat cycle consisting of three phrases of 8, 6, and 8 beats. Listen to Dangurangu and see if you can tell when Forward is no longer there and the spirits are playing mbira! And Taireva yepasi is an oh, so sweet favorite. [Total time: 79:59] CD 3213 Tadzungaira: A Prayer to End All Suffering, Vol. 1. Forward Kwenda 1996-7 Forward Kwenda plays Tadzungaira ('We are suffering') as a prayer to the ancestors to end all suffering in the world. He is known in Zimbabwe and internationally for his incredible solo performances of this piece - an expression of all our tears, and the exaltation of the human spirit. The first three tracks were originally recorded on a cassette walkman, but captured amazing performances in casual settings. Note the use of a loose key to add extra percussion on tracks 1 and 3. MBIRA recordings do not use overdubbing - what you are hearing is truly Forward playing one time with two thumbs and one finger. Experience the power of the ancestors to transform the living through mbira... Recorded 1996-7 at Zimbabwe - various, and US. Musician: Forward Kwenda. Tuning: Gandanga/mavembe. [Total time: 79:46] CD 3214 Tadzungaira yepasi - Forward Kwenda 1997 Nyamaropa Tuning Tadzungaira ("We are suffering") is an ancient mbira song played to end all suffering in the world. This 46 minute long performance has long been a favorite (as Tape 214) for massage sessions, bedtime after a stressful day, long drives, and more...enjoy it now in CD format! The sweet sound of the mbira is a perfect counterpoint to unique lyrics that encourage us to remember that we are not alone, that we should love and support one another, and leave envy and violence behind. CD 1004 Trance 3 Forward Kwenda playing Tadzungaira and Gonamombe Rerume on a mountaintop in Mhondoro at sunset in 1996 (23 minutes). Completely transcendent. A soaring of the spirit! The balance of the CD is Japanese shakuhachi and Tembang Sunda music of West Java - the compilation of the three works amazingly well. CD only. (Ellipsis Arts. Out of print, MBIRA has all remaining new copies for sale) Tapes 276 Forward Kwenda Solo: Mahororo & More - This solo recording of Forward Kwenda features several versions of Mahororo, and Taireva and Bangidza in nyamaropa tuning, as well as Nyama musango, Taireva yepasi, and Nhema musasa in Katsanzaira tuning. April 2000. 275 Forward Kwenda & Erica Azim: Intimate House Concert 2 October 1999 The tape of this very special performance includes Shumba, Chipembere, Nyama musango, Nyamaropa yepasichigare, Kanhurura, and Tadzungaira. Gandanga, Dambatsoko, and nemakonde tunings. Some Forward solo, some with Erica Azim. Incredible high melodies on Shumba!!! 1999. 269 Forward Kwenda - Late Night at Mbizi Game Park - Working too hard to play much mbira these days, he claims he’s out of practice. Ah, to play that well even when out of practice! This middle-of-the-night mbira sound, with quiet singing, is perfect to go to sleep to. Sweet dreams! 1999. 254 Forward Kwenda - Solo Gandanga Tuning Mbira and Vocals He'd been driving for 10 of the previous 24 hours and been up all night..maybe not as transcendent as some of his other recordings but still really great. Yes, Kwenda fans, there's yet another Tadzungaira. And Chipembere Nhimutimu, Marenje, Chipembere, etc. 1998 223 Forward Kwenda & Erica Azim House Concert March 1997 Concert celebrating Forward's arrival in the U.S. in 1997. 200 Forward Kwenda on a Mountain at Mhondoro at Sunset Forward Kwenda : solo gandanga-tuning mbira and vocals - recorded on a granite mountain, around the boulder from ancient Bushman paintings, in the rural Mhondoro area at sunset. Relaxed playing, sweet singing..the ultimate bedtime tape! 1996. 143 Best of Forward Kwenda - Vol. 1 Selections from early recordings of "the Coltrane of mbira" Forward Kwenda, age 17 to 25.. soulful mbira prodigy takes you on deep inner journeys - prepare to laugh and cry! A "don't miss" for jazz fans because of the improvisation - a "don't miss", period. 111 Forward Kwenda with Erica Azim 1994 in Gandanga and Dambatsoko tunings
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Forward Kwenda is one of the most respected mbira performers in Zimbabwe. He was born in the rural Buhera area of Zimbabwe, an area known for its fierce resistance to colonial rulers and respect for Shona tradition. As a young boy, Forward excelled in traditional dance and recitation of ancient poetry. At the age of 10, he began to play ngoma (drums) and hosho (gourd rattles) for his mother's gombwe (rain-making) spirit. He was given the name "Forward" because of his curiosity about many subjects, enthusiastic involvement in many activities and his singing for liberation war freedom fighters.
mbira.". Hand-to-hand distribution of those cassettes, and others recorded later, has led to international acclaim for the virtuosity, soulfulness, and unprecedented range of melodic and rhythmic improvisation of Kwenda's playing. Meanwhile, he is in great demand in Zimbabwe, where the most ancient spirits, the makombwe, believed to be the ancestors of all mankind, prefer Kwenda's ancient style and come to earth as soon as he begins playing his mbira. Kwenda claims "It's not me, my spirits just play through me," and takes no credit whatsoever for his virtuosity.