The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College proudly presents Nobuntu, the internationally acclaimed all-female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m.
Nobuntu, whose name represents an African concept that values humbleness, love, unity, and family from a woman’s perspective, has earned worldwide recognition for their inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. Their concerts are performed with pure vocals augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano), and organic, authentic dance movements.
The ensemble’s impressive accolades include a nomination for Best Musician of the Year at the 2015 Zimbabwe International Women Awards in London and two-time winner for the Best Imbube Group at the Bulawayo Arts Awards in 2017 and 2019. The quintet has performed across Europe, Canada and throughout the African continent, and has released three recordings: Thina (2013), Ekhaya (2016), and Obabes beMbube (2018).
Nobuntu represents a new generation of young African women singers who celebrate and preserve their culture, beauty, and heritage through art. Their mission is the belief that music can be an important vehicle for change, one that transcends racial, tribal, religious, gender, and economic boundaries. Back at home, Nobuntu sponsors a number of community initiatives including the Nobuntu Pad Bank, where they gather sanitary pads for young women in the arts in underprivileged communities.
Tickets are Orchestra $42 / Mezzanine $36 and can be purchased online at grunincenter.org; by phone at 732-255-0500; or in person at the Grunin Center Box Office. The Grunin Center is located on the OCC Main Campus on College Drive in Toms River, NJ.
