Welcome to the new banningeyre.com. We’ve revamped the site in honor of the release of my long-gestating book on Thomas Mapfumo and Zimbabwe, Lion Songs: Thomas Mapfumo and the Music that Made Zimbabwe. Officially, the book drops on May 22. But I will have copies on hand by May 1. The companion CD, 14 killer Mapfumo tracks, and 9 spicy interview excerpts, will also be available then. This CD is the one place you can experience the entire sweep of Mapfumo’s work on a single disc. And the book…well, we’ll see what the reviewers say, but I think it’s one of a kind. Never before has the story of an African musician and his work been so fully interwoven with history in a biography.
In the windup to the big release, I’ve been on a ship in the Atlantic, lecturing and arranging concerts for some adventurous seafaring travelers. Not the ideal place to be in advance of a book launch, but the gig was too good to pass up.
Just the same, events are coming together as you can see in the Events listing on this site. I’ve got a terrific multi-media presentation to go with Lion Songs, including a demo of mbira guitar, and of other Mapfumo-related guitar playing, maybe even a little singing. I’m on the “chimurenga” mission over the next few months, so come to one of my events if you can. And let me know if you have ideas for events I can do in your town. My band Timbila is available for larger events, and I’m always happy to collaborate with others.
Also, you may be able to find my books and CDs for lower prices elsewhere, but if you order from this site, all books come signed, and you will earn the author's undying gratitude!