Lazarus

Genre : Local
City :
Country : Malawi

Biography

Lazarus Chigwandali was born in Dedza, Malawi in 1980 with the rare genetic skin condition albinism. At a young age, his brother, Petulo, taught him to build and play the banjo, and inspired a lifelong passion for music. After his brother's ultimately passing due to complications with albinism, Lazarus dropped out of school to avoid the stigma he faced because of his skin colour and poor eyesight. His love for music brought him to the nearest city, Lilongwe, where he regularly performed on street corners and shopping malls. Now the father of two children with albinism, Laijo and Jose, Lazarus lives outside Lilongwe city where he continues to play music and develop a unique sound fusing traditional Malawian music and modern folk. In 2018 he teamed up with UK based producer Johan Hugo from the band The Very Best to record his debute album, due out in September 2019. The American film company Ryot, and Oscar Nominated, Emmy winning director and producer David Darg & Bryn Mooser, also produced a documentary film about Lazarus incredible story, which will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in New York at end of April 2019. Madonna is the executive producer of the film.