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SIMBA Morri was born in Kenya, and came to South Africa as a scholar. He studied Anthropology at the University of the Witwatersrand before turning full time to music.
Instrumentation:
guitar, vocals
Genre:
traditional / indigenous, mbaqanga, African Jazz
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He became a regular performer at political getherings and cultural events, and joined the band "Mapantsula" - which attained minor cult status in the alternative music scene and on university campuses. Simba's first releases were thus as a member of Mapantsula on the "Forces Favourites" album - an end conscription initiative which parodied the official state radio programme of the same name.
Together with groups such as the original Bayete, Sakhile, Malombo and the (African) Jazz Pioneers, Simba Morri was part of an alternative music scene inside South Africa during the 1980's. Significantly, his music added a valuable pan-African dimension at a time when South Africa was culturally and politically isolated from the rest of the world.
Soon Simba was collaborating on stage with Mzwakhe Mbuli, the people's poet. In 1986 Simba recorded his debut album "Wasamata" for the independent Shifty Records, and also contributed composition, guitars and vocals to Mzwakhe's debut album, "Change is Pain". He also maintained a high profile on the club scene, playing regular gigs at venues such as Jamieson's (Joburg), The Base & Jazz Den (Cape Town), and with occassional shows at the Market and Baxter Theatres.
Simba's participation in development projects is extensive, and includes an ongoing association as an educator with the Funda Centre in Soweto.
In 1994 he was invited to perform at the African Arts festival in Seoul, South Korea, and in 1995, two of Simba's songs - "Unity" and "Celebrating Life" were used by the SABC elections unit as part of the voter motivation campaign.
On the live performance front, he continued with regular appearances at venues including th BAT Centre and the Playhouse (Durban), Kippies (Joburg), the River Club and numerous other venues in Cape Town.
1996 saw him supporting Crosby Stills & Nash for their Johannesburg concert, and also recording the Celebrating Life album for 3rd Ear Music. In 1997 he performed at the Fin de Siecle Festival in Nantes, France
Fluent in his native Swahili and English, Simba is also comfortable conversing in Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, and Shona. He has performed in most of the SADC countries, with regular visits to Zimbabwe, Boswana, Namibia, and Malawi.
Contact Details:
Mashariki Muzik
PO Box 31012
Braamfontein
2017
South Africa
Mobile: 082 626 8248
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