Otto And The Mutapa Calling
Otto & The Mutapa Calling is a colourful London-based marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana - including traditional songs, original songs and popular southern African covers. The band's set-up includes soprano and baritone marimbas, with drumming and singing. The marimba band’s sound is full of energy and pulsating rhythms - and the band’s music shares the rich cultures, histories and stories of the people of southern Africa.
The marimba band was officially formed in 2017 by band leader, Otto Gumaelius, who started playing African music on the marimba in 1998 in primary school in Botswana. The band is currently comprised of musicians from Botswana, Zimbabwe and the UK. Alongside private events and weddings, some recent performance highlights include Boomtown Fair, Elementary Festival, Peckham Festival, Lambeth Country Show, Lewisham People’s Day, Spring Classic Festival, Devizes Picnic In The Park, Just So Festival, Late Bloom Festival, Kallida Festival, Timber International Forest Festival, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and One Love Festival. Band leader, Otto Gumaelius, has also led marimba and mbira workshops at festivals such as WOMAD and Tropical Pressure, alongside regular teaching and workshops at schools and private events.
For more information on the band and a list of upcoming gigs, visit www.ottoandthemutapacalling.com. You can also follow the band online on Instagram and Facebook, or listen to the band’s music on Spotify and YouTube.
“YOU REALLY ADDED SUCH A GREAT CELEBRATORY ATMOSPHERE TO OUR WEDDING AND THE GUESTS ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! FANTASTIC MUSIC! YOU ARE ALL SO TALENTED! THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE OUR DAY SO SPECIAL!”
Our Sound
Grow Hackney
“They were phenomenal! So much life, fun and energy! Thanks guys!”
Lily Brooke Manor
Riverlands
“A huge thank you to you and your amazing band - you literally brought the wedding to life and exactly what we wanted... Having you and the band playing on our special day literally made it for us!”
Black History Month Show At Octopus Headquarters
Art Night London
“Very many congratulations on a superb performance at the Llangollen music festival. I watched the performance twice and you really are all an exceptionally talented group of people. I’ve been a music fan for over 50 years and I really do rate you up there with the likes of Salif Keita and Oumou Sangare.”
One Love Festival
Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival
“WE SAW YOU PLAY AT THE SOUTHBANK THE OTHER DAY - YOU WERE ALL AMAZING! MY BOYFRIEND AND I LOVED YOU, SUCH GREAT FUN AND ABSOLUTELY THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR DAY!”
Debut Album - Mvura Ichanaya
The marimba band’s debut album, Mvura Ichanaya, was initially released in the summer of 2018 under band leader Otto Gumaelius’ name. It is a collection of original arrangements of folk songs from southern Africa, alongside some of Otto’s own songs. The album is available for download or streaming on all major digital outlets, including Spotify, iTunes and Amazon.
“I wanted to say a HUGE HUGE thank you to you and your fellow band members for playing at our wedding. Our guests and us absolutely enjoyed it and it made our day just that extra special. ”
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“Otto and his team played a wonderful show for us at the architectural association for the annual summer party! He’s great with communication and always willing to help in any way he can. It’s great working with someone who takes his profession seriously and I would highly recommend him”
Get in touch TO BOOK THE BAND
“We were entertained by Miriam Makeba’s Pata Pata and the backing marimba and drums were absolutely brilliant”