“The vibe that attracts every tribe”
JESA is an Afro-fusion band from Chitugwisa, a town in the south of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. The band was formed in 2014 when a group of musicians studying at the Music Crossroads Academy Zimbabwe, decided to form a group to compete at the Imagine Zimbabwe National Final competition.
The group is composed of six members, sharing a rich background in different music genres. The bands’ diverse blend of African rhythms, melodies, harmonies and tunes are inspired by JESA’s heritage rooted in several ethnic tribes of southern Africa. Band members are Kudakwashe Kanyerere on Drums, Tinotenda Zingapeta on Bass Guitar, Exodus Bande on Keyboards, Freddy Phiri on Mbira and Vocals, Tafadzwa Ngwindema on Percussions and Vocals, and Leah Kasinamunda on Vocals.
JESA is led by a powerful stage duo: Freddy Phiri – the rough, raw and raunchy Mbira virtuoso and the mesmerising Leah Kasinamunda, whose smooth, sultry soprano sounds are none the less a vocal force to be reckoned with! Their theatrical style of performance blends traditional grooves with modern influences from Zimbabwe and Africa beyond.
In 2015 JESA won the Imagine Zimbabwe National Final and in 2016 they won the Imagine International Final in Croatia, beating some of the best emerging talents from Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, France, Spain and Sweden. In 2017 they set a tour in Europe performing in Sweden at Tisdagskul in Rättvik and Rättviksparken, in Belgium at the Wégimont Festival and at the Bij de Vieze Gasten, Ghent and in Spain at the Ethnolab in Banyoles and at Santa Maria d’Amer in Amer, Selva.
