Juba Marimba Home Page

Juba Marimba is a group of nine musicians from Bellingham, Washington who have taken this saying to heart. Their group plays traditional and contemporary dance music of Africa on seven marimbas of their own making. Their music is an infectious and irresistible blend of rhythm and harmony.
 
The Marimba, a wooden xylophone with resonators which naturally amplify the sound, is an ancient folkloric instrument played throughout Indonesia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Juba Marimba plays the whole family of marimbas, from the bass and baritone which must be played while standing on platforms, to the more familiar tenors and sopranos, which are played standing up, or seated,respectively.

 Our music is based on the music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, whose dazzling rhythmic patterns and beautiful interlocking melodies make dancing virtually irresistible. This powerful music can reach across age and cultural divides to bring people together on the dance floor. "What I particularly like," remarks band member Keith Fredrikson, "is turning people on to other cultures through music from around the world." On hearing the music for the first time people have often described the feeling as one of coming home.

Come dance to the sounds of Juba Marimba. It's guaranteed to make you feel good.





Juba Marimba at Elizabeth Park in Bellingham, summer 2004