Santa Monica Close-up

(above) Dr. Ric Alviso, Santa Monica College and California State University Northridge world music professor and director of the Masanga Marimba Ensemble, performs with his students at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Sunday, July 27, 2008. (top) Ronnie Daliyo, 32, plays the 'Hosho Shakers.' The Masanga Marimba Ensemble plays traditional and popular music from Latin America and Africa. The instruments used in this ensemble consist of 7 Guatemalan and Zimbabwean marimbas of various sizes along with vocals, drums, percussion, saxophone and trumpet. The word “Masanga” comes from an African word that means the coming together of two rivers representing the meeting of Latin and African traditions in this group. Masanga is the only marimba ensemble in Southern California that combines Latin and African traditions. Their music is upbeat, danceable, and family-oriented. The sight and sound of Masanga's giant marimbas is unlike anything you've ever seen or heard before.