Concert to benefit Zimbabwe Nkenya scheduled for Saturday, January 30

This just in: New Music Circle will present a benefit performance for bass player and composer Zimbabwe Nkenya (pictured) at 7:30 p..m. , Saturday, January 30 at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand.

Nkenya has been an active participant in the local improvised music scene since his return to St. Louis from New Mexico in 2007. Over the course of his career, he has played with many well-known creative musicians here and in New Mexico, New York and around the USA. He had had been scheduled to co-headline a concert with Douglas Ewart for NMC on January 30; however, according to today's news release, he had a stroke "earlier this past fall," and has been unable to perform since then.

The release said that NMC plans to reschedule Ewart, with more information available soon. Admission to the January 30 benefit for Nkenya will be by voluntary contribution, with all proceeds going to the bassist and his family.

Scheduled performers include Jim Hegarty, Fred Tompkins, and Deb Summers, who will represent New Music Circle; Dave Cheli's group Tribal Chicken; and percussionist Thomas Zirkle (HaZMaT). All the musicians are volunteering their services, and additional performers will be announced on NMC's website.

UPDATE - 5:20 p.m., 1/12/10: In addition ot the St. Louis event, Nkenya's friends and musical colleagues in New Mexico, including trumpeter Paul Gonzales, are staging a benefit for the bassist at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, January 31 at the Outpost Performance Space, 210 Yale SE in Albuquerque.