Msafiri Zawose is on an ongoing quest to forge an original sound for a changing Tanzania, a search he took up from his late father Hukwe, who was a founding figure in the nation’s musical independence.

A charismatic performer, prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Msafiri Zawose is one of Tanzania’s most respected living musicians.

This Gogo innovator breaks open the circle of tradition, the archive of songs and tunes, beats and melodies his fellow musicians have relied on for generations. Jubilant voices dance over a broad palette of timbres, including the buzzy bowed zeze. Swaying polyrhythms combine in tranced-out jams, only to shift into a delicate filigree of malimba (thumb piano) and vocal counterpoint. It speaks to Msafiri’s simultaneous deep engagement with and playful reframing of tradition.

Msafiri Zawose continues to be an inspiration to Tanzanian and other African musicians alike.  He has toured regularly in USA, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.