What must be Britain’s fastest growing choral phenomenon, Zimbe! has received an additional boost with the release of the first commercial recording, produced by the composer, Alexander L’Estrange, with his professional soprano/Musical Director wife Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, on their andagio label. It was launched on day one of the South African FIFA World Cup (and so far has done considerably better than England did!).
Zimbe!, a 40-minute sequence of songs from all over Africa, brilliantly arranged by composer and jazz musician Alexander L’Estrange for mixed adult choir, children’s choir and jazz quintet, is already drawing together singers of all ages and nationalities, placing singing at the heart of the community. As entioned in the previous issue of Chorale, Zimbe! was commissioned in 2008 by Dorking Choral Society and, within 18 months of the premiere in November of that year, more than 20 performances were lined up in concert halls, cathedrals and schools in the UK, and throughout the world. Performances are currently planned in Switzerland, Oman, the US, Canada and New Zealand, and the African premiere was performed in Nairobi, Kenya, on 19 June: “It was excellent! A full house, the choir was stunning; Safaricom boss was close to tears.” President Barack Obama was among the first to hear the new recording as part of a promotional video presented to members of US Congress by Nyumbani, the African charity to which Alexander and Joanna L’Estrange have chosen to donate a portion of sales of the CD. Visit www.zimbe.net for more information, and to buy the CD. Also, why not check out the A truly memorable day. I’m sure that Zimbe! Will continue to delight singers and audiences for many years to come. It was a real privilege to be able to take part in the first recording and it now has a very special place in my heart. Being a part of recording such a brilliant piece with such an amazing choir – and under such an expert and inspiring choral conductor – was truly special. Zimbe! fan page on Facebook for more fantastic photos, and to find out about forthcoming performances. The secret of Zimbe!’s success lies in its unfailing ability to leave performers and audiences alike uplifted. The exciting fusion of jazz and traditional African song results in a piece that is relatively simple to learn, rewarding to sing and exhilarating to perform. The singers on the CD were an ad hoc choir made up of friends, colleagues and relatives of Alexander and his wife. The choir included several choral directors who had previously conducted performances of Zimbe! and eight current and former members of internationally acclaimed a cappella group The Swingle Singers. The children’s choir was made up of members of Haileybury Lower School Choir (conducted by Quentin Thomas) – which brought the number of singers on the CD to around 100. 

The music for Zimbe! is available from the Faber Music Store.