I had totally spaced out on the Chiwoniso show at the Meany Hall Friday, Dec. 4. Luckily a friend with an extra ticket called me Thursday and invited me along. The show is part of the UW World Series, which always fills the gray Seattle winter with interesting world beat acts.
Chiwoniso was a little under the weather, but she still put on a nice show. She started with just her voice and an mbira. After a couple of songs, she invited another mbira player and singer on stage. While he sang, she played the hoshos with the smoothest wrist flip I’ve ever seen. I’m not all that well-versed in hosho playing, but her playing looked and sounded very smooth to me.
For the last couple of songs before the intermission, and for the whole last set, they were joined by a full band – guitar, bass, drum kit, congas, and keyboards – creating a very distinctive Afro-beat soundscape.
As we left the show, we heard a commotion up on Red Square. We went up the steps and were pleasantly surprised to run into a very funky UW marching band. The kids in the band were spread out all over the square and the steps and railings of the Suzzallo Library playing, among other songs, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” They were having way too much fun and filling the cold fall air with a lovely racket.