Masterful Mbira Player Kevin Nathaniel's Insight on Circular Kalimba Playing
We've been honored to have NYC-based musical artist Kevin Nathaniel join us twice now as special guest for the Kalimba Campfire meetup. Each time Kevin brings a wealth of insight to share with us about traditional mbira playing from Africa, and the various styles of instruments, tuning, and playing techniques with roots in different African countries that influenced the Kalimba from Hokema that we bring to the United States.
In this recent session that took place on October 1st, 2025, Kevin talks about the spiral-like pattern of the kalimba layout and how this also ties to circle-singing. Watch this highlight video with Kevin's fascinating explainers and joyous playing examples:
The Kalimba Campfire has been taking place on Social Audio since 2021, but last year we also started hosting it on Zoom so more players could easily access it. Kevin was our special guests on one of the first Zooms in late 2024 and we also have the highlight video of this session to watch here:
A visionary musician who, with voice and ancient African instruments, channels sound as a universal healing force. Together, breathing rhythms to the beat of our synchronized hearts, Kevin Nathaniel resonates songs of unity and the “big picture” of love in beautiful ways. A celebrated composer of healing music; a long-time practitioner of the healing arts of mbira, kalimba, circle song, shekere, dance, meditation, and yoga; a world-traveled music healer and performer, sharing the medicine of the ancient, the now, and the beyond, Kevin Nathaniel brings a fresh, deep experience of the beauty of sound.
Kevin Nathaniel’s music is an invitation for us to come together, to share in song, laughter, positivity, movement, and prayer.
Kevin Nathaniel is a Scholar of the House of Yale University. Following Yale, Kevin intuitively devoted himself to the healing music of Africa, especially mbira music. He began constructing instruments, transitioning to vocal music, the playing of various instruments of the African world, dances of Africa, and sacred healing music. His journey has led him to today, where he is an innovative force in the development of a new kind of shamanic music, performing music festivals and ceremonies the world over. His recordings have developed a strong following not only among lovers of uplifting dance grooves, but also among the healing and natural medicine world, while healers have verified that his recordings and performances helped heal trauma, sleep disorders, physical pain, depression and anxiety.
Kevin has worked with shamans, channels, doctors, healers, mystics, and medicine people from Africa, Asia, South and North America. He has also worked with Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Jonathan Demme, Madonna, Niles Rodgers, Ephat Mujuru, Dumisani Maraire, Bobby McFerrin, Maestro Manuel, Tito La Rosa, Nana Vasconcelos, Carlos Roberto, Miriam Makeba, Thomas Mapfumo, Dr. Mitch Gaynor, Pedro Cruz Garcia, Titos Sompa, Chief Bey, and Omega Institute (where he serves as musician-in-residence).
the craftsmanship, (and craftswomanship) is incredible, and her sound. so resonant and otherworldly. I'm so happy with my new Monolina in G. I can't wait to play her for my community. Thank you Gabriele for your outstanding customer service.
