Rainbow Blaze
The Group
The innovative marimba band Rainbow Blaze was started in 2000 in the suburb of Tshabalala, Bulawayo by a small group of young men interested in creating a new type of music. Today Rainbow Blaze has seven artists who create, produce, and perform music for a wider market regionally and internationally. Together they have created and gained a name for themselves, particularly for their brand and unique style of music which they create and produce.
The Music
Their main music is a fusion of reggae played on the marimba. As the saying goes, diversity is the spice of life; they also play Jazz, Country, African Cultural music, Soul, and other genres. Presently Rainbow Blaze has several productions in their name, most of which reflect on the social issues surrounding day to day life. Rainbow blaze has gained popularity in the local musical arena and has performed alongside such musical groups as Cool Crooners, Trevor Hall (the Jamaican reggae musician based in Zimbabwe), Umdumo Wesizwe, and Siyaya-Arts, among others. Currently Rainbow Blaze is working on their first album called It’s love that we want. The group has also advanced a step professionally by signing under the label Sabela Music Projects, which will produce and market its music locally, regionally, and internationally.
The Performances
The innovation in making their own unique style of music has seen them travel and perform for wide audiences at home, performing at private functions and festivals including Ibumba International Festival, Intwasa Arts Festival, and Isigodlo Samakhosi Festival. Other high profile engagements are The Bob Marley commemorations and the Music Crossroads where they won a recording tender. The band has also performed at Zimbabwe’s national events such as Heroes Day, Defence Forces Day, and Independence Day.