Which Artists and Musicians Play the Kalimba?

Are you really into the kalimba? That percussion instrument where you press metal tines to produce notes? Are you wondering who plays it? Would you like to know which artists use the thumb piano in their compositions?

With a deep passion for the kalimba spanning over 10 years, I’ve compiled a list of more than 20 musicians who occasionally or regularly incorporate this African instrument into their performances. I’m excited to share this curated list of the most renowned kalimba players with you.

Although the kalimba isn’t a widely used instrument, it has, from time to time, been featured by the famous jazz-funk group Earth, Wind and Fire, singer Bobby McFerrin, and, more recently, musician April Yang.

So, by reading this article, you will learn in what context the kalimba is used by the following artists:

• Earth, Wind and Fire
• Bobby McFerrin
• April Yang
• Stella Chiweshe
• Chinobay
• She Owl

This diverse line-up offers a clear overview of how the kalimba is used in contemporary music, satisfying your curiosity while introducing you to professionals who share your passion for this instrument.

Now, let's start straight away with the first artist on this list.

The famous group Earth, Wind and Fire

Formed in 1969 in the United States by Maurice White, the band Earth, Wind and Fire rose to fame in the late 1970s with songs such as September, Boogie Wonderland, and Let's Groove. The band sold nearly 100 million albums worldwide before disbanding in 1984, only to reunite in 1987. The band is still active today, although its leader, Maurice White, passed away in 2016.

Although most of Earth, Wind and Fire's hits do not feature the kalimba, you can hear a few notes of this instrument in some of their songs. For example, on the 1973 album Head to the Sky, the track Evil uses a kalimba to create the melody. The band was a pioneer in bringing the thumb piano into a song aimed at the general public. Discover it in the video below:

Singer, vocalist, and conductor Bobby McFerrin

Born on 11 March 1950 in Manhattan, USA, Bobby McFerrin is an artist who has collaborated extensively with big names in jazz music, while also occasionally performing as an opera singer. He is best known for composing and singing the song Don't Worry, Be Happy in 1988, which was a huge success.

But Bobby McFerrin also used the kalimba in one of his lesser-known songs, simply titled Kalimba Suite, on his 2002 album Beyond Words. This track didn't really catch on and never became widely known. You can listen to it below:

Musician April Yang

If there’s one artist who has successfully promoted the kalimba and breathed new life into it, it’s April Yang—a musician who built her reputation through her YouTube channel starting in November 2017. In her videos, she performs well-known and lesser-known tunes, mainly using the kalimba. Thanks to her talent and the quality of her work, April Yang now has over 100 million views and nearly 1 million subscribers. Her videos have helped many people discover the kalimba and its potential. It’s clear that she has inspired countless musicians to try their hand at playing the kalimba.

April Yang has taken advantage of her fame to start her own business with the help of her husband in July 2021 and now sells her own musical instruments, which she recommends. It's true that the thumb piano produced by her company ranks first in our top 10 best kalimbas thanks to its quality and fantastic acoustics. You can see this instrument in the video below, where April Yang plays Ed Sheeran's song Perfect.

Singer Stella Chiweshe

Born on 8 July 1946 in what was then Southern Rhodesia and recently passed away on 20 January 2023, Stella Chiweshe was an internationally renowned singer known for her mastery of the mbira or kalimba, accompanied by singing or not. She learned to play this instrument in Africa, mainly in Zimbabwe, at a time when women were forbidden to play or own such an instrument. She launched her solo career in 1985 and gained fame through extensive touring on every continent. Stella Chiweshe is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in kalimba history, thanks to her role in popularising the instrument. You can enjoy one of her compositions in the video below:

Kinobe or Chinobay, a great kalimba player?

Originally from Uganda, Herbert Kinobe spent his childhood developing an interest in the traditional musical instruments of his home country. He naturally learned to play these instruments and became particularly skilled with the kalimba and the kora. Faced with the difficulty English speakers had in pronouncing his name, he renamed himself Chinobay, which has been his official stage name since 2022. A songwriter and intercultural facilitator, he wants to show the whole world all the facets of African culture. He is also a UNICEF ambassador working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children across the continent. You can enjoy a performance by this artist in the following video:

The Italian duo She Owl

She Owl is a duo of Italian singers and musicians who sometimes incorporate the kalimba into their songs. The group is composed of Jolanda Moletta and Demian Endiam. These two artists offer a truly unique musical universe that could be described as shamanic or poetic. To get a good idea, listen to their song Mimla, which features a beautiful melody played on the kalimba:

Are there other musicians who play the kalimba?

In fact, many other artists have incorporated the kalimba into their music. For example, you’ll hear it in singer Laura Barrett’s Robot Ponies, Japanese artist Limba Trip, or Evan Fraser. Even the well-known Phil Collins featured the kalimba in Long Long Way to Go, one of his songs from 1995.

However, the song Kalimba de Luna, sung by Tony Esposito in 1984 and covered by Dalida in the same year and by Boney M. in 1985, does not feature any kalimba notes. It is simply the name of a fictional character. Similarly, the famous musician simply named Kalimba does not play the instrument. His real name is Kalimba Marichal, and he uses only his first name as his stage name.

Treat yourself to a kalimba by a renowned artist

While few musicians feature the kalimba in their songs, this instrument has tremendous untapped potential and is still waiting to be discovered by a wider audience. Now that you know most of the well-known artists who craft catchy melodies with the thumb piano, you can draw inspiration for your own compositions.

However, don't expect to be able to play all the melodies you've just discovered with just any kalimba model. Some complex pieces will require a high-quality instrument such as the one offered by musician April Yang. The Instruments du Monde shop offers you the opportunity to buy one of these exceptional kalimbas, made from beautiful solid beech wood with very flexible metal keys.

Get your kalimba now by clicking on the image below:

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View April Yang’s kalimba

If your instrument produces notes it shouldn’t, it may be due to a lack of maintenance or other issues. If you encounter this problem with your thumb piano, see why your kalimba sounds bad. You’ll find solutions to help your instrument work properly. Feel free to consult our comprehensive guide to the kalimba.