James Chamanyazi

Bio

Born on 16 September, James Chamanyazi (real name James Ngoma) is a contemporary kalindula / traditional pop and jazz artist from Zambia. He earned his stage name from his maiden album titled ‘Chamanyazi’ (released in 1994). The album was launched while he was doing his secondary education at Kabulonga Boys Secondary School in Lusaka. It was well-received in the Zambian music market.

He joined the music industry in 1994 when he was a teenager. He is the leader of a band called The Muvi Posse. The music ensemble is one of the very few contemporary live bands that Performs authentic Zambian music in a multi-dimensional, traditional and multi-directional way. The band performs and explores various elements of African music such as kalindula, chitelele, shonongo, manchacha, chingande, chimtali, siomboka, rhumba, chimurenga, kanindo, kizomba, hip-hop, reggae, rock, jazz, kwaito and free form.

Some of his famous compositions include ‘Chamanyazi’ where he got his name, ‘Diya Lelo’, ‘Banyama’, ‘Nkhwale’ (analila mulenga), ‘Tekanya’, ‘Umulumendo’, ‘Chidzukulu Tuvi’ and many more.

Since the establishment of the band in 1994, the band has sought opportunities for a wider, free expression of live band music. The band draws its inspirations from some of Zambia’s singing sensations like the late Alick Nkhata, late P.K Chishala, late Paul Ngozi, late Mike Nyoni, Violet Kafula, late Joyce Nyirongo, the Witch band and the Musi-o-tunya band.

Chamanyazi has been managing the band since 2003. Other successes achieved by Chamanyazi and the band include the Best Kalindula Album of the Year Award at the 2014 Zambian Music Awards (Mosi Awards), the most conscious 2008 and 2009 HIV and AIDS Artist and 2010 and Best Band of the year 2011 (all these were Ngoma Awards).
Besides music, Chamanyazi is involved in several community awareness campaigns with the government and non-governmental organizations such as the fight against HIV and AIDS, environmental protection awareness, climate change awareness, malnutrition awareness campaign, safe motherhood awareness, and many others.

ZMLusaka, Zambia

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James Chamanyazi

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