King Georges VI School and their band called LIYANA

The Band

 

It was only a few years ago that Liyana was born - as a class project. Even with the challenge of working in teams, in barely an hour, Liyana had produced four great tunes. From the start they had a special knack for communicating musically through various subjects and musical styles, including gospel, reggae, and traditional Shona music.

These days, the band is fronted by Prudence Mabhena, a dynamic lead singer with a unique ability to communicate with audiences from all walks of life. Other members specialize in marimbas, African drums, shakers, keyboard, and piano. With lyrics in five different languages, Liyana's 'Afro-fusion' music is reflective of our interconnected world, where many find that our connections are greater than our divisions.

In 2006, LIYANA won the Crossroads Africa Inter-regional Music Festival in Mozambique and went on to tour Sweden, The Netherlands, and Belgium. In July, 2007 as featured performers at the Bulawayo Theatre, Liyana concluded with a new song Never Give Up, a title that is especially mzeaningful because it is the mantra learned at KGVI School that inspires them to this day.

Liyana draws upon the talents of eight musicians, all born and raised in Zimbabwe. Liyana is the subject of a new documentary, iTemba (My Hope). Directed by Roger Ross Williams, to be released, worldwide, late in 2009.

Here is some of their music...

 

Liyana - Son of the Hero

 

 

 

Liyana - Sugar Rhythms

 

GO READ ALL ABOUT THEM HERE