Chartwell Dutiro
Encyclopedia
Chartwell Shorayi Dutiro started playing mbira
when he was four at the protected village, Kagande, about two hours drive from Harare
where his family was moved by the Salvation Army missionaries during the Chimurenga
. Even though the missionaries had banned traditional music, he learned to play from his brother and other village elders. His mother also encouraged him through her singing of traditional songs.
As a teenager Chartwell moved to the capital, Harare, and became saxophonist with the Salvation Army band. A little later, in 1986, he joined the world-famous band Thomas Mapfumo
& the Blacks Unlimited. Touring the world for eight years with that band, he was their arranger, mbira player and saxophonist. Since 1994, Chartwell has based himself in Britain where he continues to teach and play mbira.
Chartwell has academic qualifications in music, including a degree in Ethnomusicology
from SOAS in London where he also taught for many years.
Chartwell's solo album, released in 2000, is entitled 'Voices of Ancestors'. He also has several recordings on CD in which he plays with the band Spirit Talk Mbira: Ndonga Mahwe (1997), Nhimbe (1999), Dzoro (2000), and Taanerimwe. Chartwell is also working with Serenoa String Quartet to combine classical string quartet style with traditional African music.
He used to play in Ashburton's Methodist Church Hall every Tuesday night where he led a Shona
choir made up of local people, from farmers and teachers to business people, not to mention the landlady of the local B&B
. In many ways, he has become a Zimbabwean missionary, playing mbira in schools and community halls, creating a space where people can explore cultural differences through the Shona tradition.
Mbira
In African music, the mbira is a musical instrument that consists of a wooden board to which staggered metal keys have been attached. It is often fitted into a resonator...
when he was four at the protected village, Kagande, about two hours drive from Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
where his family was moved by the Salvation Army missionaries during the Chimurenga
Chimurenga
Chimurenga is a Shona word for 'revolutionary struggle'. The word's modern interpretation has been extended to describe a struggle for human rights, political dignity and social justice, specifically used for the African insurrections against British colonial rule 1896–1897 and the guerrilla war...
. Even though the missionaries had banned traditional music, he learned to play from his brother and other village elders. His mother also encouraged him through her singing of traditional songs.
As a teenager Chartwell moved to the capital, Harare, and became saxophonist with the Salvation Army band. A little later, in 1986, he joined the world-famous band Thomas Mapfumo
Thomas Mapfumo
Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo is a Zimbabwean musician known as "The Lion of Zimbabwe" and "Mukanya" for his immense popularity and for the political influence he wields through his music, including his sharp criticism of the government of President Robert Mugabe...
& the Blacks Unlimited. Touring the world for eight years with that band, he was their arranger, mbira player and saxophonist. Since 1994, Chartwell has based himself in Britain where he continues to teach and play mbira.
Chartwell has academic qualifications in music, including a degree in Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music...
from SOAS in London where he also taught for many years.
Chartwell's solo album, released in 2000, is entitled 'Voices of Ancestors'. He also has several recordings on CD in which he plays with the band Spirit Talk Mbira: Ndonga Mahwe (1997), Nhimbe (1999), Dzoro (2000), and Taanerimwe. Chartwell is also working with Serenoa String Quartet to combine classical string quartet style with traditional African music.
He used to play in Ashburton's Methodist Church Hall every Tuesday night where he led a Shona
Shona people
Shona is the name collectively given to two groups of people in the east and southwest of Zimbabwe, north eastern Botswana and southern Mozambique.-Shona Regional Classification:...
choir made up of local people, from farmers and teachers to business people, not to mention the landlady of the local B&B
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
. In many ways, he has become a Zimbabwean missionary, playing mbira in schools and community halls, creating a space where people can explore cultural differences through the Shona tradition.