Mhondoro performs at the Lane County Farmers Market in Eugene
- John Mambira percussion, vocals
- Idit Shner alto saxophone
- Torrey Newhart piano / keyboard
- Garrett Baxter bass
- Ken Mastrogiovanni drums
The Jazz Station will be collaborating with The Farmers Market to provide three FREE concerts at the Lane County Night Markets this summer. Mhondoro is a band which melds Zimbabwean tradition and American jazz. It is a 5-person cooporative in which every member has full artistic agency in the project. Mhondoro has released their first album, HEATWAVE, in 2021. Their second release, titled "Ngatibatanei / Let Us Unite!" was released in April 2024 on OA2.
John Mambira, vocalist and percussionist, hails from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; he toured Europe with his band Bongo Love and has international experience in percussion, singing, traditional dance, and marimba band. He is also a member of legendary Zim musician Thomas Mapfumo. John is now settled in Eugene, Oregon.
Idit Shner, saxophonist, hails from Yahud, Israel. She is a diverse performer equally at ease in jazz and classical settings; currently professor of saxophone and jazz studies at The University of Oregon.
Torrey Newhart is a keyboardist, pianist, and composer; originally from Bend, Oregon, but now resides in Eugene. A consummate performer, Torrey has several releases under his name and ongoing project of Obsidian Animals, and performs often with Inner Limits trio.
Garrett Baxter, a bass virtuoso, is quickly gaining reputation on the national jazz scene and has been a staple of the Portland jazz scene.
Oregon-based drummer, Ken Mastrogiovanni, brings a unique sensibility and modern voice to the drums and the music, making him a rising musician of his generation in his music scene. He is drummer, producer, composer, and educator.
Details
Venue
We are Eugene’s largest farmers market, providing locally grown foods from over 100 farmers and food artisans. Our markets run 11 months of the year, and all items are grown or made in Oregon.