Otto Gumaelius

Marimba & Mbira Music From Southern Africa

Otto Gumaelius is a London based, Botswana raised, performing artist & teacher of southern African folk music on the marimba.

Otto And The Mutapa Calling

Otto & The Mutapa Calling is a colourful London based marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers. The band's set-up includes soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas, hosho, drumming and singing, with both traditional and contemporary dances. The marimba band’s sound is full of energy and pulsating rhythms - and the band’s music shares the rich cultures, histories and stories of the people of southern Africa.

The marimba band was officially formed in 2017 by band leader, Otto Gumaelius, who started playing African music on the marimba in the late 1990s in Botswana. The band is comprised of musicians from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cyprus and the UK.

Alongside private events and weddings, some recent performance highlights include Peckham Festival, Lambeth Country Show, Lewisham People’s Day, Spring Classic Festival, Devizes Picnic In The Park, Just So Festival, Late Bloom Festival, Kallida Festival, Timber International Forest Festival, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and One Love Festival. Band leader, Otto Gumaelius, has also led marimba and mbira workshops at festivals such as WOMAD and Tropical Pressure, to name a few.

Otto & The Mutapa Calling is a unique and colourful experience and is the only active professional marimba band of its kind in the UK.

Have a browse below for music and pictures. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook, or listen to us on Spotify and YouTube.

Visit the events page on this website for upcoming shows.

Visit our website here: www.ottoandthemutapacalling.com


YOU REALLY ADDED SUCH A GREAT CELEBRATORY ATMOSPHERE TO OUR WEDDING AND THE GUESTS ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! FANTASTIC MUSIC! YOU ARE ALL SO TALENTED! THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE OUR DAY SO SPECIAL!
— Emma Tang

Our Sound


They were phenomenal! So much life, fun and energy! Thanks guys!
— Gerry Mayfield

Grow Hackney

Art Night London


A huge thank you to you and your amazing band - you literally brought the wedding to life and exactly what we wanted... Having you and the band playing on our special day literally made it for us!
— Emily Brace

Leytonstone Street Festival

Taste of Southern Africa Arts Festival


Very many congratulations on a superb performance at the Llangollen music festival. I watched the performance twice and you really are all an exceptionally talented group of people. I’ve been a music fan for over 50 years and I really do rate you up there with the likes of Salif Keita and Oumou Sangare.
— Lawrence Jones

One Love Festival

Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival


WE SAW YOU PLAY AT THE SOUTHBANK THE OTHER DAY - YOU WERE ALL AMAZING! MY BOYFRIEND AND I LOVED YOU, SUCH GREAT FUN AND ABSOLUTELY THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR DAY!
— Katherine Ridley

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Follow on Instagram here.

Like on Facebook here.

Listen on Spotify here.

Watch on YouTube here.

Visit our website here.


Debut Album - Mvura Ichanaya

Otto Gumaelius Mvura Ichanaya Marimba Album

The marimba band’s debut album, Mvura Ichanaya, was initially released in the summer of 2018 under band leader Otto Gumaelius’ name. It is a collection of original arrangements of folk songs from southern Africa, alongside some of Otto’s own songs. The album is available for download or streaming from all major digital outlets, including iTunesGoogle PlaySpotify and Amazon.


I wanted to say a HUGE HUGE thank you to you and your fellow band members for playing at our wedding. Our guests and us absolutely enjoyed it and it made our day just that extra special.
— Naniso Msimanga

Image Gallery


YOU GUYS WERE AMAZING! THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR DAY SO MEMORABLE!
— Ngaa Zivuku

Technical Rider


Otto and his team played a wonderful show for us at the architectural association for the annual summer party! He’s great with communication and always willing to help in any way he can. It’s great working with someone who takes his profession seriously and I would highly recommend him
— LEO HASSERIIS, ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Recent Appearances


A southern African acoustic band, led by Otto Gumaelius, marimba performing artist and teacher, provided an intriguing performance that fascinated everyone
— AFRICAN CUISINE MAGAZINE

Get in touch TO BOOK THE BAND


We were entertained by Miriam Makeba’s Pata Pata and the backing marimba and drums were absolutely brilliant
— NEHANDA RADIO

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