Zim trio for London SAMA festival

FRESH from the South African tour held last month, Chimurenga guru Thomas Mapfumo and contemporary musician Jah Prayzah are heading for London, this time with rising local Afro-Jazz musician Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa in tow. The trio is set to perform at this year’s edition of the Southern Africa Music and Arts (SAMA) festival. The two-day concert is being organised and sponsored by Y2K promotions based in the same country.

Elated with his date with two of Zimbabwe’s finest artists, Musarurwa, famed for his duet with niece, Pah Chihera, titled Runonzi Rudo, said this was a rare and great occasion to rub shoulders with the music elites.

“This is a great opportunity for me to prove to  the world that I mean business when it comes to music. I have already started rehearsing for the shows to give my UK fans a performance valuable for their money as we aim to give audiences a polished act like we did at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa),” Musarurwa said.

“I never knew my music was appreciated in UK, but my international manager, Shona London, real name Tendai Tsopotsa, told me that many Zimbabweans living there have been following my music closely and requested that I  perform for them.”

With a large number of Zimbabweans living in UK, the country has become a second home for local musicians who are stampeding to stage shows.  The trio’s first show will be on July 4 at The Royal Regency before wrapping it up the following day with a performance at Maher Centre in Leicester.

Musarurwa who is the grandson to yesteryear music legend, Augustine Musarurwa, of the Skokiaan fame, has three albums under his belt namely, Kurarama, Garamuberevere, and the latest offering Gogodera. His music carries cultural and traditional message with also perspective of the modern times.

Musarurwa said he draws his inspiration from Oliver Mtukudzi and the late Chiwoniso Maraire while internationally he is inspired by Salif Keita from Mali. The 26 year old musician is working with a number of female artistes locally and regionally. Recently, he recorded a duet with Botswana musician Slizer, born Naledi Kaisara. He is currently riding high with his latest album Gogodera which is receiving frequent air played on local radio stations.

Musarurwa had his debut appearance at the just ended 15th edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) with a performance at the Coca-Cola Green stage in a concert dubbed The Future Is Here.

newsdesk@fingaz.co.zw