The acclaimed Mozambican saxophonist and composer Ivan Mazuze breaks new ground with his latest album; Penuka delves into the profound influence of Arab and Indian cultures on African traditional music, presented through a contemporary jazz lens. The music is a testament to the centuries-old cultural exchanges facilitated by trade routes across the African continent. Mazuze’s deep dive into this historical tapestry forms the core of the album, showcasing how African musical traditions have absorbed and reinterpreted elements from Arab and Indian musical heritage over time.

"This album is a celebration of the enduring cultural connections between Africa, the Arab world, and India. Through Penuka I aim to offer a fresh perspective on how these influences have shaped African music, blending traditional rhythms with modern jazz improvisation" says Ivan Mazuze

The rhythm section on Penuka features seasoned musicians with longstanding musical relationships with Mazuze, including artists with roots in Cuba, Norway, and Mali, all currently based in Norway. Their collaboration adds layers of rhythmic complexity and global flair to Mazuze’s compositions, enhancing the album’s dynamic fusion of styles. In addition, Mazuze collaborates with a diverse array of guest artists, each bringing their unique cultural backgrounds to the project. These include musicians from India, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia, and Zimbabwe, whose contributions enrich the album’s eclectic sound palette and introduce new musical expressions such as Gnawa and languages such as Shona, Urdu, Wolof, Rajasthani and Indian Sargam. Penuka is a collaborative effort that bridges continents and cultures. It reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our interconnected world, celebrating the richness of musical expression that emerges from cultural exchange, Mazuze emphasized. Penuka is commissioned by Global Oslo Music.

Musicians:

Ivan Mazuze: Alto, soprano, and tenor saxophones, flute on all tracks - vocals (1,2,6,7,9), shakers (2), handclaps (4, 6)

Per Mathisen: bass on all tracks

Olav Torget: guitar and ngoni on all tracks

Jørn Øien: keyboards and synths on all tracks

Raciel Torres: drums on all tracks

Rahis Barthi: tablas and vocals (1,6)

Sikander Langa: Vocal (1)

Minuddin Khan: Malikpur vocal (1)

Papa Asane Samb: Sabar percussion (2, 3, 4, 5,10)

Modou Mbaye Tama: Talking drums (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)

Rohini Sahajpal: Sitar (6)

Reshail Mansoor: Vocal (6)

Maxwell Vidima: Vocals (3, 4)

Jai Shankar: Tablas and vocals (7, 9)

Khaleed Laaouam: Vocals, guembri and krakreb (8)

Mariama Ndure: Vocals (10)

All music composed and arranged by Ivan Mazuze. Text writing and translation with Maxwell Vidima for the track Mamidje and for the track Kanawa with Khaleed Laaouam.

Recorded at Newtone Studios, Oslo – Norway

Sound technician: Leif Johanssen

Additional recording by Ivan Mazuze at Imazuze Music Studios

Mixed and Mastered by: Leif Johanssen

Producer: Ivan Mazuze

Executive Producers: Malika Makouf Rasmussen and Ivan Mazuze

Label: Global Sonics

Photographer: Tom Atle Bordevik

Financial support by: Arts Council Norway