Drummer, Percussionist, Songwriter, Producer and Founder of Cobbala Productions, Kwame Steve Cobb is the co-writer and producer of the highly acclaimed recording call "Seven Principles," the first complete contemporary collection of original songs for Kwanzaa.

Chavunduka, pronounced (Cha-voon-doo-ka), is a multi-dimensional song stylist who comes from the school of artists whose music is not limited by categories. Her vocal repertoire draws from the deep reservoir and tradition of the great black music genres, Jazz, R&B, traditional African and Gospel music.

She has performed at universities, concert venues, and festivals throughout the United States, in Moscow, West Africa, and the Virgin Islands. She has shared stages with Wynton Marsalis, Lou Rawls, Pharoah Sanders, Roy Ayers, Peabo Bryson, the late Kenny Kirkland and many other renowned musical artists. Blessed with a three-octave range, Chavunduka possesses a distinct vocal signature through which she displays her soulful spirit and artistic brilliance.

Listening to Chavunduka's self-titled debut recording, you'll feel her magnetism and experience her precise vocal dexterity, which is matched only by the creativity of her arrangements. She caresses each song with uncommon honesty, as in her performance of "My Funny Valentine" and the sizzling eye-opener "My Favorite Things," inspiring emotion and excitement.

Chavunduka is also the co-founder of Cobbala Productions, along with her husband Kwame Steve Cobb, with whom she co-wrote and produced their first collaboration recording called Seven Principles. Chavunduka and Kwame have eight children and reside in Chicago.

In 1987, Cobbala Productions began producing benefit concerts for the United Negro College Fund, the most ambitious being a concert at Mandel Hall in Chicago featuring Roy Ayers, Steve Cobb and Chavunduka. It was a great show, but a financial disaster. About 25 people showed up! We had to regroup emotionally and we suffered for a while from what Kwame calls, "promophobia," that is, fear of promoting anything. But we got over it. We continued to plan, develop our studio, write songs, book gigs, record, grow our family and become stronger. In 1988 we released our debut albums, Shammin' or Jammin' and Chavunduka, on our own Cobbala record label. And we began to promote again. In 1991 we performed to a standing room only audience. What a charge! The community came out and it was all we needed to get our promotional juices flowing. We performed at clubs, colleges and festivals around the country and opened concerts for Roy Ayers, Peabo Bryson and others.

How to Grow a Business and a Family for Love, Livelihood and the Revolution
By Chavunduka and Steve Cobb
From the book, Blackeyed Peas for the Soul by Donna Marie Williams
1997

Our story is really two stories intertwined. It is the story of two independent, socially conscious musician-entrepreneurs who came together to make music. Our story is also about a marriage of not only two adults, but of eight prepubescent and adolescent people. Our relationship has been a grand social experiment. We are a tribe, a ready-made clan. We are thirteen strong now, a bonded family of eight children, ages twenty-four down to six, a grandmother, an uncle and a brother-in-law. Somehow we manage to make it work with a lot of give and take on both our parts.

Although there was never a big blowup. There came a critical moment when we considered and discussed not being together. We even went so far as conceptualizing the division of our meager assets. We were tired. It was too hard. Too many people and personalities to deal with. Not enough money. There was frequent tension between us concerning the division of labor.

One night we discussed our dilemma as we sat parked in front of the house in our van (some of our best communication has occurred in that van). We spoke honestly and heatedly about our unmet expectations and the frustrations of our lives. We discovered that we both felt stuck, locked in. and obligated to perform in ways that we just couldn't. At that moment of simple and complete understanding, we released each other. We forgave each other and ourselves for having those feelings, because in spite of them, we were doing our best to do the right thing by each other and all of the children. We accepted that we each had the right to leave if we could not be happy and fulfilled. It was a liberating acceptance. For some reason, knowing that we had a choice freed our spirits and gave us a renewed supply of relationship energy.