Dumi and the Minanzi Marimba Ensemble formed in 1975, the first marimba band in the USA. The band consisted of the founder and leader, Dumisani Maraire, from Zimbabwe, and former students of the University of Washington and The Evergreen State College, plus two members from Black Arts West. The band became a popular fixture of the Seattle nightclub scene and throughout the Pacific Northwest. In 1977 they went on a 6-week tour of the US, performing in numerous cities around the country, including a performance at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. The band released a 1977 album \"Rufaro\" and a 1977 45 rpm with the songs Chiro Chacho and Mweya. Dumi and the Minanzi Marimba Ensemble disbanded in 1978. This was a groundbreaking band that started the widespread and growing interest in Zimbabwe marimba music.

A non-concise, non-binding family tree of people who dig Zimbabwean music