Joel Laviolette has been a professional mbira player for 15 years. Hr directs the group Rattletree Marimba in Austin, TX.

While in Zimbabwe, Joel traveled constantly-meeting musicians, playing ceremonies, and talking to musicians that were interested in recording. He recorded many of the rare types of mbira and other instruments while there. The fruits of those recordings can be seen and heard on Mhumhi Records, Joel's non-profit record label.

Joel has had the joy of performing on stage a...