SOFT marimba melodies drift across the entrance of Gava Restaurant in Harare, greeting guests before plates of hearty lunches and the roar of live bands take over.
At the centre of this gentle musical welcome is Kelvin Chikumbirike, a marimba and mbira manufacturer, educator and performer whose quiet presence has become an unmistakable signature of the venue.
Last Friday, NewsDay Life & Style paused its usual rush towards headline acts to listen more closely to the man shaping the atmosphere long before the stage lights come on.
For the past six years, Chikumbirike has provided rhythm, tempo and cultural grounding for countless dining experiences at Gava.
His marimba performances have set the tone for shows by artistes such as Mwenje Mathole, Fusion 5 Mangwiro, The New Soul Train, Mannex, Transit Crew, Alexio Kawara and Aggabu Nyabinde, among dozens of ensembles.
“I have been playing marimba here at the entrance to Gavas for the past six years and I also teach interested persons manufacturing and playing marimbas,” he said.
“I use recycled saligna wood and engrave designs on the marimba frames and keys.
“I have sold marimbas and mbira to several local and international guests.”
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Chikumbirike’s artistry extends beyond performance to craftsmanship.
Using recycled saligna wood, he handcrafts marimbas and mbiras, engraving distinctive designs onto frames and keys.
His instruments, valued for both sound and aesthetic appeal, have found homes with local musicians, schools and colleges around Harare, as well as with international visitors seeking authentic Zimbabwean soundscapes.
Teaching others how to manufacture and play these instruments has become a natural extension of his practice, ensuring knowledge is passed on rather than preserved in isolation.
Beyond the restaurant setting, Chikumbirike is steadily influencing the evolving sounds of Afro-fusion and jazz.
His ongoing incorporation of mbira and marimba to contemporary compositions has added textured rhythms and ancestral resonance to modern genres.
By weaving traditional tonal cycles into jazz improvisation and Afro-fusion grooves, he bridges generations, allowing ancient instruments to converse fluently with bass guitars, horns and drum kits.
This approach has broadened the appeal of mbira and marimba, positioning them not only as heritage symbols, but as versatile tools for innovation on local and international stages.
Looking ahead, Chikumbirike envisions a future where marimba and mbira music stand at the forefront of entertainment locally and globally.
He regularly organises informal mbira and marimba gatherings that bring together musicians, students and art lovers.
His ambition is to transform these sessions into an annual festival, creating a platform for exchange, collaboration and celebration.
In doing so, Chikumbirike continues to make waves, not through volume or spectacle, but through consistency, craft and the enduring power of Zimbabwe’s indigenous sound.
