N’Jinji: the intense energetic field created by interweaving rhythms, melodies and harmonies that evokes dance, healing and elevated emotional states. (Shona language of Zimbabwe)

Are you ready for this?!?!?

Throughout Africa Chris Berry is recognised as a master musician and spirit caller. In the West, he is hailed as one of the world’s leading practitioners of African music and dance.

Californian born Berry’s study of African music began at the age of 13. This became an obsession which would soon take him to Africa and see him immersed in the rich musical and cultural traditions surviving upon its’ shores. Today, 23 years on, Berry is a master of mbira (thumb piano) and the ngoma drum, and has earned the title of gwenyambira (“one whose music calls the spirits”), a distinction reserved only for those who have achieved the highest fusion of the technical and the magical in Shona music. He is not only the first white person, but also the first non-Shona person to receive this distinction.

“….. people would become possessed,” said Berry. “Some of the old ancestors who came back spoke to me through these people: ‘What are you doing here? There are lots of misguided people, lost and confused people, in your country. It’s time for you to take what you’ve learned and bring it to your own country because they need it more than we need it here. That’s your job. You’re the bridge maker.’ ”

Berry returned to America after over a decade in Africa to follow the edict given to him by the ancestor spirits to convey the ancient knowledge of N’Jinji to the world. The hope is that people around the globe will become practitioners of this healing artform and use it as a means of strengthening themselves and their communities.

Berry’s band Panjea has met with much success achieving platinum record sales in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Recently Berry signed a worldwide deal to Wrasse Records, one of the top labels in the field of “World Fusion’ music. Based in NYC, his studio is down the corridor of the likes of Eminem and Sting (not that he’s a name-dropper!). Previous Australian tours have included performing at the Olympic Games and as headliner at the Woodford Folk Festival.

Berry has invited Spankinhide to join him on this N’Jinji tour after having developed a decade-long friendship and musical relationship with Spankinhide’s leader Elliott Orr. With 17 years drumming under his belt, Elliott is respected as the leading proponent of African drumming in Queensland. He has been teaching and performing rhythms extensively, including original compositions by Berry. In many ways Spankinhide’s style is a blending of Berry’s sound and traditional West African styles.

In Elliott’s words: Spankinhide also includes Josie Kurukulie as dancer, Tony ‘Mogambo’ Kicken, Charles Wall (of sound) and the extra magic of two brothers Aidan and Piers Langford. For this tour they’ll also include Brazilian percussionist Tullio Becker.

Having performed at the Woodford Folk Festival for 5 of the last 6 years, including to over 30,000 people at the Fire Event in 2004 and again in 2006, Spankinhide is without a doubt Queensland’s most pumping African rhythm ensemble. At numerous venues and events around Brisbane, South East Queensland, Far North Queensland and Northern New South Wales, the name Spankinhide has become synonymous with having ‘a totally wicked dance’! This is music devoted entirely to making you shake your booty! So go on, surrender to the beat, coz they’re spankin’ hides for dancin’ feet!