Fri 4/5 @ 9PM
Zimbabwean singer/guitarist Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi has been performing for almost 40 years, recording more than 60 albums since 1978. In the process, he’s become a musical spokesman for his country, where he’s founded an arts center to encourage future creative voices.
Like much African pop music, Tuku’s embraces multiple influences, from both continental Africa and other parts of the world, and frequently addresses freedom from oppression, violence and bigotry. But his music is also uplifting: Tuku is a charismatic performer whose joyful, rhythmic sound easily swells up to inhabit large spaces and get feet moving.
So he’s definitely up to the challenge of filling with sound the Cleveland Museum of Art’s massive new atrium, where he’ll perform for its Atrium Dance Part tonight. Tickets are $43.