Photo: Eden Constantino
In this episode of Postcards, we venture into the world of Thabani Gapara, a Zimbabwean saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based in Auckland. Thabani reflects on his musical journey, shaped by his upbringing in Zimbabwe’s diverse landscapes and his experiences abroad.
Thabani's father, a ranger for Zimbabwe’s Wildlife Management, took the family across the country's diverse landscapes—from the vibrant streets of Harare to Lake Kariba, and the majestic Victoria Falls. These travels immersed Thabani in a land rich with rhythm, culture, and nature.
Saxophonist Thabani Gapara performing at Ponsonby Social Club Photo: Supplied
Thabani Gapara discovered music early in life, singing in choirs and playing in school marimba bands. At 15, he switched from the cello to the snare drum after meeting Joshua Mick, a talented musician who inspired him to join the school marching and jazz bands.
"He's continued to have a great career making his own music, as well as playing with a lot of musicians in Zimbabwe and southern Africa. But seeing a guy close to my age who was that great a musician was really inspiring, and I wanted to play in a band with this guy."
A young Thabani Gapara in studio with Dudu Manhenga and Color Blu Photo: Supplied
In 2003, Gapara joined his first professional band, Color Blu, and played on their album Out of The Blu, alongside Afro-jazz singer Dudu Manhenga.
"That was when I really got to see what was happening with all these musicians that you grow up kind of passively being aware of, and then realizing, oh my goodness, there’s this richness of culture, music, and people who have great stories to share. I was able to just be part of this world, be a fly on the wall in some rehearsals, and be welcomed into studio sessions with incredible people. It was an incredible experience for me!"
One of his key musical influences is The Cool Crooners of Bulawayo, a band that blended American swing with Zimbabwean rhythms who translated lyrics and wrote original music.
"I had this opportunity to meet them and even play with them. I kind of weaseled my way into playing some concerts with them, which was super cool. This particular selection that I’ve picked is called Buluguwe Lami, from an album they recorded with a French label. They had some reasonable success with it and managed to tour it. The album also included some of Zimbabwe’s finest session musicians at the time, who are just beautiful human beings."
The Cool Crooners of Bulawayo-Bulugwe Lami
Gapara’s father also grew up in Bulawayo. “Both my grandparents were teachers, and they lived in a neighborhood called Barber Fields in Bulawayo and raised their family there. Soon after independence, they moved to Harare. I imagine those are some of the sounds that they would have had playing in the home, and it kind of makes the whole thing even more special.”
From the swing rhythms of The Cool Crooners of Bulawayo, Thabani is also influenced by the politically charged sounds of Thomas Mapfumo’s Chimurenga music, which gives voice to Zimbabwe's liberation struggles. Mapfumo, a legendary figure in Zimbabwean music, pioneered the liberation style called Chimurenga, using his native Shona language during a politically charged period.
Chimurenga, a genre created by Thomas Mapfumo, blends traditional Shona rhythms with political messages, a powerful soundtrack for Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“Guys like Thomas Mapfumo were also part of the community that was seeing the need for change in the country. There was a war of liberation taking place, with indigenous people fighting for equal rights, basic human respect, and the ability to access the things that anyone would expect in their homeland. So the music started carrying that sentiment, but not just that. Musicians were also saying, 'Wait, let's make music that sounds like us, like the people.
“Shumba is very representative of that”.
Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited- Shumba ·
For Thabani, Shumba by Mapfumo is more than a song—it’s a reflection on Zimbabwe’s political landscape and a powerful allegory for village life, celebrating indigenous values while urging caution and awareness.
Oliver Mtukudzi’ came up around the same time as Thomas Mapfumo. His son, a gifted musician, was starting high school when Gapara was finishing.
“Dr Oliver Mtukudzi was a heck of a performer, electric, just vibrant personality and the music he played also was message music and dressed in a way that makes you enjoy the groove, have a good time, but also pay attention to a bit of a message”.
Oliver Mtukudzi- Mkuru Mkuru
Chiwoniso Maraire, a key figure in Zimbabwean music, follows in the footsteps of her father, Dumisani Maraire, who popularized Mbira music worldwide. Thabani fondly recalls her debut album Ancient Voices, which brought a fresh twist to traditional sounds and resonated deeply with Zimbabweans at home and abroad.
“Everybody fell in love with it. I remember my mom just kind of had that album going and going and going and going’.
Chiwoniso-Iwai Nesu
“Zimbabwe is a country full of culture, connected to the world through technology and innovation, yet it still retains the beauty of being relatively untouched,” he says.
Thabani’s musical tastes have been further shaped by the instrumental genius of Louis Mhlanga, whose fusion of funk, jazz, and African rhythms resonates with Thabani’s own approach to blending tradition with modern sound. Mhlanga's collaborations across Africa broadened his musical horizons, much like Thabani's exposure to diverse musical styles throughout his career.
Shamwari—which means "friend" in Shona, one of Zimbabwe's most spoken languages—is a track that resonates deeply with him.
Louis Mhlanga-SHAMWARI
Thabani's musical tastes are rooted in Zimbabwe's rich tradition of jazz and Afrobeat. From the pioneering work of Thomas Mapfumo to the soulful melodies of Chiwoniso Maraire, these artists shaped his sound, blending the struggles of a nation with the joy of rhythm.
Gapara first met Victor Kunonga when he was playing music after high school. When “there was a huge bubbling in the industry in Harare in Zimbabwe with artists who were new, young artists who were making fresh, original music.
It was Richie Lopez who “was generous with his time” and helped shape Gapara’s listening habits introducing him to new and inspiring artists locally like Victor Kunonga.
Uyo is a brilliant instrumental piece that “encapsulates the ideas of you're taking some of these traditional music sounds. You could kind of hear a few different styles that are happening there and he's put it together in a way that just sounds seamless and flows”.
Victor Kunonga - Uyo
Having spent much of his life in Zimbabwe, Thabani brings a unique perspective to the Auckland music scene. His work, shaped by the rhythms of his homeland and his experiences abroad, offers a distinctive fusion of African tradition and contemporary global influences.
Thabani’s 13 years in New Zealand has led him to collaborate with a range of artists—from the soulful sounds of The House of Shem to Rob Ruha and the orchestral arrangements of the Auckland Philharmonia. These experiences have broadened his musical horizons and enriched his sound.
Thabani Gapara- Mysta Mukwambo
With his 2024 album Dzindza, Thabani honours his Zimbabwean roots while embracing new global influences. The album's track Mysta Mukwambo is a tribute to Mozambique’s legendary guitarist Jimmy Dludlu, symbolizing Thabani’s deep respect for his musical heroes and his own creative journey.
