Cosmas Magaya has been playing the mbira since he was a child of 8, and has been internationally known for over thirty years, both as a powerful performer and a teacher of great skill.

He is one of the central figures and significant consultants to Dr. Paul Berliner in his 1978 book, The Soul of Mbira: Music and Traditions of the Shona People of Zimbabw. Magaya's playing can be heard on the Nonesuch recordings, Zimbabwe - The Soul of Mbira: Traditions of the Shona People and Zimbabwe - Shona Mbira Musi. He has toured both Europe and the United States in recent years, both alone and with other Zimbabwean musicians.