CHRIS BERRY & ESME OLIVIA + DJ Hyphy
Details
## An evening that moves from song, mbira, and live rhythm into a fun dance-floor close.
Chris Berry & Esme Olivia bring together mbira, vocals, guitar, and percussion in a vibrant blend of Zimbabwean musical tradition and original songwriting. Chris spent many years living and studying music in Zimbabwe, especially the mbira, an expressive metal-keyed instrument that moves from resonant bass patterns to bright, interlocking melodies.
Albuquerque-raised songwriter Esme Olivia joins him on guitar, percussion, and voice. Together they trade lead songs, harmonies, and rhythms, creating music that can be intimate one moment and deeply rhythmic the next.
Then DJ Hyphy takes the night into dance territory, weaving UK garage, breaks, bass, and house with original edits and productions. Energetic, musical, and made for movement.
Live roots. Deep rhythms. Dance-floor finish.
Chris Berry is a global force of musical alchemy, blending masterful mbira, voice and percussion with African-rooted traditions and contemporary sound. After more than a decade living and studying in Africa, he has performed internationally and collaborated with artists including Youssou N’Dour, Eminem and Paul Winter.
Esme Olivia is a Mexican-American vocalist, harmonist, percussionist, dancer, and multidisciplinary artist whose work weaves together music and movement. She has collaborated with Chris Berry for more than six years, bringing rich harmony, rhythm, guitar, and expressive stage presence to their performances. Learn more at EsmeOlivia.com
DJ Hyphy is a DJ and producer specializing in high-energy dance music, moving fluidly through UK garage, breaks, bass, and house. His sets mix club-ready selections with his own edits and productions, with a strong emphasis on groove, bass, and keeping the dance floor moving.
Artist Links
Chris's linktree: https://linktr.ee/chrisberrymusicofficial
Esme's linktree: https://linktr.ee/esmeoliviamusic
DJ Hyphy: https://www.instagram.com/djhyphy/
Listen / Watch
Here one can listen to "Nana Watu," a song Chris & Esme recorded together, featuring mbira, guitar & vocals.
This is "Hold On," - https://youtu.be/N7flInm97wo?si=Fhe9OfkqB-VrKPfK - an original by Chris Berry that gives a good sense of his mbira-focused songwriting, with harmonies and simple percussion.
Here is a video of Chris playing an original song with mbira. - https://youtu.be/KjFhnoX92y0?si=CucjxVP4P6lZ_lM1
Here is a video of Esme’s performance - https://youtu.be/_akEhcHZ88g?si=bLtO1X-MYhkiHySU . The two will soon
produce a video of their current duo arrangement.
Sample DJ Hyphy’s artistry here: [on.soundcloud.com/jOpbLRvJNmO5EpFVzf](https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/on.soundcloud.com/jOpbLRvJNmO5EpFVzf)