Salimu! Heshimu! by Kuimba

This very unique music with its bold sensual rhythms, Swahili rap, trombone solos and warm, spirited vocals invokes the jubilant aura of village festivities. In African fashion, the audience is set at ease to clap, dance or sing along.

Kuimba has performed to enthusiastic response from Elementary through high school ages as well as Seniors, for Environmental organizations, Campfire groups, Teachers conferences, Community Colleges and Universities, Wedding celebrations, Art Wine and Music festivals and Community concerts. They have also played on radio (KQED & KPFA) and television (KPIX & KTVU) in the S. F. Bay Area and have recorded three CD’s, Mawingu — I Remember Africa, Salimu! Heshimu! and Mt. Diablo.

The Band:

Kris and Lark met in 1982 through their mutual interest in music and philosophy. Inspired by the great natural blend of their voices, they immediately began to collaborate as a vocal duo and songwriting team. It took a number of years of experimentation to combine the composing styles of a formally trained trombonist and an ear trained, self-taught vocalist but ultimately each of the two different approaches enhanced the other, producing some very unique music.

Their first major performance as a duo came as a concert in ’88 in the Oregon Shakespearean Festival’s Summer Pleasures Series (Ashland). Kuimba was joined in ’94 by Bay Area drummer, John Waller and in the summer of ’00 by a long time associate of John’s, bassist and guitarist, Don Keller. Kuimba presently tours on the West Coast of the United States.

The Artists:

Born of caucasian Canadian and American parents in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre),

Lark Bowerman belongs to a group of people known by anthropologists as Global Nomads. Far from being mere expatriots, people like her are a dynamic multilingual, multicultural force with the potential for healing wounds created by political, racial and religious misunderstanding.

Her musical education has roots in the music she heard and sang in the Ituri Forest village where she grew up. Lark’s

original music and personal stories tell how she came to terms with many unusual and, often challenging, life experiences.

Lark began to sing as a small child and to write poetry and play musical instruments at age twelve. She has composed songs for eighteen years. Her lyrics in both Swahili and English provide a large portion of the basic formats for Kuimba’s collaborations. She accompanies her vocals with African harps, guitar, and percussion.

Kris Bowerman, a native Californian, began study of the trombone at age ten. His passion for improvisation was first ignited when he played in the Stan Kenton clinics in high school. During this time he made his first public appearances, including performances at the Monterey Jazz Festival, in Musicals, with The Jazz Quintet and The Bay Bones, and in 1978, he received a B.M. in Trombone Performance from S.F.S.U.

Kris continued to play in a large variety of groups and events including Musicals, Big Bands, Small Group Jazz and Renaissance music. He performed with the Antiquarian Funks and in the Oregon Shakespearean Festival.

With Kuimba, Kris’ ability to pick extraordinary melodies “out of the air” as an improviser on either trombone, recorder or bamboo flute adds just the right feel to many of the songs. He also plays West African Djembe and Talking drums. Kris harmonizes his distinctive tenor voice with Lark’s lead vocals, sometimes composing and singing the lead vocal as well.

Bay Area drummer, John Waller, has managed to accumulate an impressive arsenal of Rhythmic techniques and styles. He began playing drum set at age six and is equally comfortable playing Rock, Jazz and World Fusion music. He has played with such greats as Habib Khan, Aldonsh Alpanian, Thomas Michaud, Ray Cepeda and Rumeli and currently plays with RebbeSoul, Thwack!!, Groove.org and Jazz Inc. as well as Kuimba.

John plays the West African Djembe and Djun djun drums and playing with Kuimba has led him into a deeper understanding of African music and culture. He currently studies with Guinean griot, Karamba Dioubate.

John is perhaps the only adult to shop toy stores in pursuit of the odd trinket that will add the perfect percussive spice to a piece of music. His creative spunk and excellent sense of composition add a great deal of zest to Kuimba’s performances.

Redwood City bassist and guitarist, Don Keller, has garnered influences from India, Brazil, the Middle East and Africa along with Rock ’n Roll into his musical vocabulary. This is evident in his ability to “tune in” with musical styles just beyond the veil of everyday familiarity. He is a creative collaborator with the necessary discipline to architect parts that enhance the outcome of the musical “whole.”

Don began playing music from age nine. He has a long time association with John Waller, playing in groups such as The Variables and The Tony Khalife Group and in the summer of 2000 joined Kuimba’s recording project for the CD, Salimu! Heshimu!

An avid birdwatcher who volunteers for the Audubon Society's bird count, and a Kayaker, Don finds a satisfying expression of his appreciation for the environment in the many nature themes of Kuimba’s music.

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