Chartwell Dutiro

Chartwell Dutiro

Chartwell Dutiro is a Zimbabwean mbira player, arranger and saxophonist. He begins learning mbira at the age of four in Kagande, a protected village about two hours from Harare, after his family is moved there by Salvation Army missionaries during the Chimurenga. Although traditional music is banned by the missionaries, he learns from his brother and other village elders, and his mother encourages him through singing traditional songs.

Early career in Zimbabwe

As a teenager, Dutiro moves to Harare and becomes a saxophonist in the Salvation Army band. In 1986 he joins Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited, where he works as arranger, mbira player and saxophonist. He tours internationally with the band for eight years.

Britain, teaching and academic work

Since 1994, Dutiro is based in Britain, where he continues to teach and perform mbira. He has academic qualifications in music, including a degree in ethnomusicology from SOAS in London, where he also teaches for many years.

Recordings and collaborations

His solo album Voices of Ancestors is released in 2000. He also records with Spirit Talk Mbira on Ndonga Mahwe (1997), Nhimbe (1999), Dzoro (2000) and Taanerimwe. He also works with Serenoa String Quartet, combining classical string quartet writing with traditional African music.

Community work

Dutiro performs in schools and community halls, using mbira and Shona music to create spaces where people can explore cultural difference. He also leads a Shona choir in Ashburton's Methodist Church Hall, with local singers drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, including farmers, teachers, business people and the landlady of the local B&B. He has eight children.