Kutapira

Discipline: Music
Homebase: Vancouver, BC
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Kootenays, Virtual

Kutapira is a marimba and percussion ensemble formed in 2005 in East Vancouver. The band is made up of five musicians, ages 25-30, who started playing this fusion of world music when they were kids over 15 years ago. At the core of this band is the marimba music of Zimbabwe, fused with West African djembe, Afro-cuban conga’s and timbales and traditional drum kit which provides a steady driving groove. All members switch seamlessly between marimba and percussion.There is a magic created at the shows between audience and band members. From toddlers to young adults, from senior’s to elementary school students, the energy and unique musical fusion, has been able to ignite something within people of all ages and from all walks of life.

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Performance(s)

Performance - K

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Music
Offered Languages: English
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 30-45 minutes or 1 hour
Capacity: 800
Tech Requirements: https://1drv.ms/i/s!ApIHH3HR8PAagV4nZvzjRhO4i6Ah?e=ArC5m5
Available Formats: In Person

We have worked through Art Starts approximately 10 years ago... we toured all over BC playing in over 300 schools. The show is a live music performance with some interactive elements as well as an educational component that teaches students about the various percussion instruments that we play.

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Testimonials & Reviews

“What a great group to work with in all aspects. The school shows were fantastic with a great reception from each school and very positive reviews. The Saturday evening show was also fantastic, and I had about 10 students in attendance which is a new record for the Concert Society” – Malcolm Fleeton North Island Concert Society and SD 48

"I have a long history of witnessing and playing a variety of world music and I can attest that these "kids" can play - boy can they play! No matter their age, they've earned 'main stage' credibility” -Bill Usher, Executive Director, Kicking Horse Culture

The group has high youthful confident energy. I think the typical Latino beat might have even been sped up just slightly. It was a Latino beat on steroids, perhaps serendipitously alluding to how life in the modern world keeps moving faster and faster. A fundamental component of every type of artist’s development is to study the traditions of the past, but to evolve in some way into the present and become relevant. Kutapira is exemplary in this regard! Debra Lynn - North Island Gazette

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