Mwiza
Tampa, FL | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
Unlike many of the artists featured in the pages of CL’s Music Issue, Tampa songwriter Mwiza Simfukwe did not start playing his instrument at the age of 10. It was, instead, the 10th grade when his mother bought him a guitar so that he could marry a background in chorus with songwriting.
The Zambia-born, 24-year-old Simfukwe grew up on gospel, rock, pop and African music — and cites Stevie Wonder and James Morrison among his influences — but really started to hone his craft at the Osceola County School for the Arts, where he joined a band called The Avalon Broadcast. Over the years, a youthful vocal has given way to a gruffier, full-bodied one that belies the baby face Simfukwe — a student at University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida — brings to songwriting nights across the state. His sparse, pop-jazz arrangements sound bright and buoyant when played on the dobro he brings to most gigs, See more via facebook.com/MwizaSimfukweMusic. - Creative Loafing
Mwiza Simfukwe w/Well Worn Soles/K4Cmusic These songwriter nights are the quieter side of Tre Amici at The Bunker in Ybor City, but holy shit does Mwiza Simfukwehave a great voice. The Tampa songwriter is from Lusaka, Zambia, but came to love music and guitar during his time in the Sunshine State. His bright resonator is a welcome sidekick to a clean croon, and mining through his Internet output lends itself to a lot of toe tapping, neck craning and picking one’s jaw off the floor. Sometimes someone’s love of singing just shines through the performance, and this kid definitely fits that bill. (Tre Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City) - Creative Loafing
To date, the venue has hosted almost two dozen shows from folk artists like Geri X, Kerry Courtney and Mountain Holler. Tampa songwriter Mwiza Simfukwe played one of the first shows at Blue Note and fell in love with the ambience of the dark, cave-like room, which can only fit about 60 people. He says being able to look into the eyes of audience members makes him feel like the song is the star and that he isn’t there for background noise.
“Having the focus on the musician definitely shows that there’s a level of respect,” Simfukwe says, adding that he moved from Wesley Chapel to St. Pete so he could be closer to venues. “Now I actually have a reason to head back over the bridge.” - Creative Loafing
And it turned out that the mystery was worth it. The show was in an awesome yoga studio with perfect acoustics and very talented local musicians — young, promising songwriters Olivia Romano and Zambian-born Mwiza Simfukwe.
Mwiza plays a Dobro when he entertains. Originally from Zambia, the 23-year-old’s music is inspired by gospel and the musicians his mother favored when he was growing up. Mwiza has a soft-spoken singing voice (think Maxwell) but can fill the room when needed. He has been in St Pete since January and frequents the music scene at venues like the Hideaway Cafe. - Creative Loafing
Discography
Mwiza is a Tampa Bay singer - songwriter. He writes original music reminiscent of R&B;, Folk, Rock, as well as Spanish music since his influences are vast. His songs are very reflective and introspective so many listeners find they can connect with and enjoy his music.
He has been featured in the Creative Loafing Tampa Bay news paper, sang on WMNF 88.5 and had his song Take Heed played on rotation, been a featured artist on the radio station Sauce Boss Tuesdays, has been featured on Reverbnation and is currently number 1 in his genre, and performed at events in front of the mayor of St. Petersburg.
He first became interested in music when he was in 5th grade after he received his first solo. He was in chorus until the 8th grade, where he then stopped singing in highschool to pursue drawing at the Osceola County School for the Arts. In the 10th grade his mother bought him a guitar & he joined his first band, which was a punk/rock/alternative band called The Avalon Broadcast. That experience helped him realise and want to pursue his current song writing style as well as drove him to find his musical voice. He then left Orlando to go to college at the University of North Florida, where he had his first solo show that made him first consider pursuing music. He then started going to open mic events in 2015 & decided to pursue music wholeheartedly in 2017 once he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. He now currently resides in Tampa, Fl and he plays at live venues around the Tampa Bay Area for a living.
His biggest influences are church, his mother, Coheed & Cambria, Acceptance, James Morrison, Bombay Bicycle Club, Disturbed, Arctic Monkeys, Young The Giant, Chevelle, Rusko, Chief and Matt Corby.
Most of the music he listens to has a darker sound to it so he in turn makes darker, melodic music but his goal is ultimately make music that will help uplift people, help people find the thing that makes them happy through introspection, as well as use his own music as a form of therapy to himself.
Photos
Bio
Mwiza is a Tampa Bay singer - songwriter. He writes original music reminiscent of R&B;, Folk, Rock, as well as Spanish music since his influences are vast. His songs are very reflective and introspective so many listeners find they can connect with and enjoy his music.
He has been featured in the Creative Loafing Tampa Bay news paper, sang on WMNF 88.5 and had his song Take Heed played on rotation, been a featured artist on the radio station Sauce Boss Tuesdays, has been featured on Reverbnation and is currently number 1 in his genre, and performed at events in front of the mayor of St. Petersburg.
He first became interested in music when he was in 5th grade after he received his first solo. He was in chorus until the 8th grade, where he then stopped singing in highschool to pursue drawing at the Osceola County School for the Arts. In the 10th grade his mother bought him a guitar & he joined his first band, which was a punk/rock/alternative band called The Avalon Broadcast. That experience helped him realise and want to pursue his current song writing style as well as drove him to find his musical voice. He then left Orlando to go to college at the University of North Florida, where he had his first solo show that made him first consider pursuing music. He then started going to open mic events in 2015 & decided to pursue music wholeheartedly in 2017 once he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. He now currently resides in Tampa, Fl and he plays at live venues around the Tampa Bay Area for a living.
His biggest influences are church, his mother, Coheed & Cambria, Acceptance, James Morrison, Bombay Bicycle Club, Disturbed, Arctic Monkeys, Young The Giant, Chevelle, Rusko, Chief and Matt Corby.
Most of the music he listens to has a darker sound to it so he in turn makes darker, melodic music but his goal is ultimately make music that will help uplift people, help people find the thing that makes them happy through introspection, as well as use his own music as a form of therapy to himself.
Band Members
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