Artist drums up happiness

DIEGO OPATOWSKI

MAN ON A MISSION: Sam Manzanza bings his fast-paced traditional and modern African music to Nelson on Saturday March 12.

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There are no sad songs for African rhythm man Sam Manzanza, as Alice Cowdrey discovers.

Rhythm man Sam Manzanza might play a variety of music, but every song has one thing in common – happiness.

A performer of fast-paced traditional and modern African music as well as Western blues and ska, Manzanza promises that positivity will be spread among the audience when he plays in Nelson tomorrow night.

"My music is to make people happy; that's my mission. I don't want you to come to my concert to cry or to feel sad. I don't sing sad songs, because I don't like to be sad.

"In Africa, we saw too many sad people. People cry for food, or because somebody died, people cry, or because somebody is sick. There's too many tears. So why to come to New Zealand, to a peaceful country, to cry again? I know people like to sing sad songs, but it's not for me."

During the gig, Manzanza will demonstrate some of the numerous styles that go into the African musical melting pot, including reggae, blues, ska and other Western styles of music. He plays guitar, bass and harmonica and sings in French, English and Lingala.

This weekend, the versatile instrumentalist will also be teaching people the drumming skills he has learnt over his lifetime, including how to play "what you are saying".

"In Africa, when we play the drum, it's not only for dancing or for ceremony, but it's also for communication. Some villages do not have electricity, or they do not have a cellphone or a phone. To communicate between tribes and villages, they use the drum.

"To send a message on the drum, you need to play the thing that you are saying. If you can say it, you can play it. That's what I have been doing for many years."

Manzanza's knowledge of traditional rhythm was honed by years spent with the National Ballet of Zaire. During his 22 years in New Zealand, he has toured widely throughout the country, playing solo and with a six-piece Afrobeat band. He is a master drummer in the Congolese style, and a teacher and choreographer of African dance and percussion.

• Sam Manzanza plays at Baby G's Lounge in Church St, Nelson tomorrow night. His African drum workshops are on Saturday and Sunday between 1pm and 3pm at the Maitai School hall in Tasman St. The cost is $20 per workshop or $30 for both. For more information and bookings, contact Kathy Valler at kathyvw@actrix.co.nz or on 035484233.

- © Fairfax NZ News