Timbila Muzimba is a ten-piece orchestra made up of Mozambican Xylophones (Timbila) and African Percussion fused with electric bass, drums and saxophone.
It was formed in 1997 by a group of young Mozambican musicians and dancers from a neighborhood near the Mozambican capital called “Barrio Jardim”, famous for its legendary Timbila Orchestras.
The name “Timbila Muzimba” reflects the elements of music and dance that create the identity of the orchestra; the sound of the “Timbila” and the movement of the “Muzimba”
(meaning body in the Chope language).
With their unique sound, their complex and magical use of polyrhythm, melody and dance they are the pride of Mozambique and in 1999 they stunned audiences and judges alike, winning the IRF competition with an incredible 148 out of 150 points! They have since released their first album in 2003, called Conta Própria, and embarked on their second European tour the following year. Timbila Muzimba has had the opportunity to work with Portuguese composer and instrumentalist Júlio Pereira and they were also the protagonists of an unprecedented story by Mia Couto.
