Marimba Maker Sets the Tone at Gava, Bringing Tradition into Afro-Fusion

Kelvin Chikumbirike brings handcrafted marimba and mbira music to life at Gava Restaurant, blending Zimbabwean tradition with Afro-fusion and contemporary sound (image source)

Soft marimba melodies greet guests at the entrance of Gava Restaurant, where artisan-musician Kelvin Chikumbirike has quietly become the venue’s signature sound for the past six years. His performances create an immediate sense of atmosphere, blending calm, rhythm and cultural familiarity for diners and audiences alike.

Chikumbirike handcrafts marimbas and mbiras from recycled saligna wood, engraving distinctive designs on frames and keys. His instruments have found homes with local bands, schools and international visitors, valued for both their tonal quality and visual appeal. “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.

Beyond setting the mood for lunchtime diners and headline performances, Chikumbirike plays an active role in skills transfer. He teaches instrument making and performance to students and musicians, ensuring that marimba craftsmanship and musical knowledge are shared rather than confined to a single space. His introductory performances have preceded shows by artistes including Mwenje Mathole, Fusion 5 Mangwiro, The New Soul Train, Mannex, Transit Crew, Alexio Kawara and Aggabu Nyabinde.

His work also bridges traditional Zimbabwean music with contemporary genres. By weaving mbira and marimba tonal cycles into jazz improvisation and Afro-fusion grooves, Chikumbirike introduces ancestral resonance into modern arrangements, allowing indigenous instruments to interact seamlessly with bass guitars, horns and drum kits.

Beyond the restaurant setting, he organises informal gatherings that bring together musicians, students and art lovers. He hopes to grow these sessions into an annual festival dedicated to marimba and mbira music. For Chikumbirike, influence is built not through spectacle but through consistency, craftsmanship and the conviction that Zimbabwe’s indigenous sounds can shape both local entertainment and global musical innovation.