Zimbabwe Cultural Exchange Project of California presents:
Chinyakare Ensemble and Piwai & Bassmint Gong
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Doors - 7:00 PM
Show - 8:00 PM
Location: Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702
Tickets:
Advance: $30
Day of Show: $35
Student discount price: $20 (Only at the door—have your student ID ready)
ABOUT
The Chinyakare Ensemble is a dynamic collective of musicians, dancers, and educators committed to preserving, performing, and teaching traditional Zimbabwean music and dance. Rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the Shona and other Southern African peoples, the ensemble weaves together performances that feature instruments such as mbira, ngoma (drums), marimbas, chipendani (mouthbow), hosho (gourd shakers) and expressive vocal and dance traditions. Their work highlights storytelling through rhythm and movement, celebrating everyday life, ancestral wisdom, community values, and cultural heritage.
Piwai & Bassmint Gong is an Afro-jazz & Reggae fusion ensemble led by Zimbabwean vocalist, mbira player, and percussionist Piwai, whose hypnotic sound has been described as spiritual nirvana. Blending jazz, reggae, folk, and Southern African rhythms, Piwai creates trance-like, soul-centered performances. Piwai has collaborated extensively with Fantastic Negrito, playing additional percussion on his 2017 Grammy Award–winning album Last Days of Oakland. She has also been featured on multiple tours with him and continues to collaborate on performances and musical projects. The Bassmint Gong Features Mustapha Dondadah (drums), Joan Torres (double-fret bass), Simon Mulwa (bass and guitar, Kenya), Miracle (keys, Nigeria), and Autumn Salvo (upright bass); the ensemble expands into a richly layered Afro-jazz-reggae soundscape rooted in rhythm, harmony, and African musical dialogue.
Ashkenaz is all ages, all the time. Kids and minors are always welcome. Those 12 or under are admitted FREE (unless otherwise noted).