book Sam then!

contact us at: SamShabaBookings@gmail.com

PERFORMANCES
... range from solo shows with just my guitar, to feature events with my full band. Book us, and have people dance for thirty minutes - or two hours - to original music, sung in English and Tumbuka from Malawi in Southern Africa, with an international band of these fine core musicians, as well as other artists:

Nick Kiekenapp - lead guitar (USA)
Tiyinoluwa Omotosho - keys+backing vocals (Nigeria)
Dan Konold - drums+backing vocals (USA)
Theo Forde-Stiegler - bass+backing vocals (Germany)
Adam Hanna - sax (USA)


INFORMANCES
... think of them as engaging workshops (sometimes called a 'master-class') and shared music-making with your students, congregation, ensemble/choir members, conference participants... These informances are tailored to the needs of your audience and feature storytelling that highlights the musical traditions, culture, and history of my home: Malawi. I share traditional selections and my original compositions, presented with interactive components that involve the audience, as we demonstrate polyrhythms and teach sing-along parts with musical and conversational deep dives on:

• the Rhythms of Africa,

• stories of life in Southern Africa,

• performing mixed meter and polyrhythmic music,

• my faith journey...  and much more.

Example: I share my musical journey, and teach your choir a northern Malawian tune that we perform together in a shared concert. 

CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS
... for Middle School, High School, and college classrooms including Social Studies, Geography, etc. or university courses in African History, Afro-American studies, etc. Presentations topics include Jazz in Africa, Growing up in Southern Africa, 

as well as the following:  

‘My Village’

The history and culture of my village Chanunkha Shaba in the Mzimba District in the North of Malawi.

‘Three, Four, and more: The Polyrhythms of Southern Africa’

Demonstrates the musical traditions of my youth growing up with a Vimbuza drum.

WORSHIP & TESTIMONY
While I don't think of my compositions as strictly "christian" music, as a former seminarian, my faith and spirituality are central to my life and my story - so they are recurring themes in my music as well. Songs like Gomezga ("Believe, no matter what") and Chalo ("Prayer for the World") have been mainstays in my concerts. I would love to join your congregation, youth group, or bible study to share my testimony.

We travel with our own sound system if necessary.
For your soundguy:  Please see our input list: here.