The boys, girls doin’ it

 It was a memorable night last Saturday as South African songstress, Lira, put up a splendid performance before a capacity crowd.
While the celebrated jazz singer was “doin’ it” in Harare, to borrow from Hugh Masekela’s The Boy’s Doin It, our local artistes did not let her take the thunder — they humbly made it an unforgettable night out for those that attended.
The hugely successful show — organised under the theme Jazz Under the Stars — set the benchmarks for others to follow: From the line-up of musicians who performed on the night to the major act, who in this case was Lira.
However, local musicians who were roped in to be part of this jazz fest, lived up to the challenge. Those who should receive special mention include the Cool Crooners, Dudu Manhenga and Victor Kunonga.
The three-member Cool Crooners, with a backing band of instrumentalists, proved that age is nothing but a number. They still have what it takes for a stand-up performance.
Dudu, whose entry on stage drew amusement from the crowd, as she was ushered into the marquee while seated on a raised chair like a queen, mic in hand and her voice reverberating from the PA system, left the crowd asking for more.
Kunonga, though he played after the main act, showed that he has a great following as many remained to watch him play. Selmor Mtukudzi and guitarist husband, Tendai Manatsa, and the evergreen jazz outfit, Jazz Invitation, were also part of the line-up.
It needs no mention that Zimbabweans are capable of organising concerts of shows to world-class standards — and this was the case last Saturday. The venue, set in the famous Borrowdale Racecourse, had a marquee pitched up where the revelling crowd was free from fears of adverse weather.
The decor and lights were well-done although the stage was seemingly too low. Though the sound system was good from the VIP section, some in the ordinary section complained that the sound was constrained probably because of the gutter on the roof of the marquee which ran between the two sections.
However, the ordinary section had no chairs — revellers in this part would have spend long hours standing.
Parking and security were all well-catered for and no incidents of vandalism or criminality were reported. It’s a plus for the organisers and hope future events will take the standards higher.