A cocktail of solo acts at Jazz 105

nothing short of a mouthwatering salad.
Such will be the case when three of the country’s finest acoustic guitarists and singers- Oliver Mtukudzi, Steve Makoni and Bob Nyabinde – team up for the “Solo Show” to be held at Jazz 105 in Harare this Friday
Munya Mataruse – who is the only young artiste performing alongside the legends – will be the only musician to be backed by a full band, Kazevezeve.
The show, without doubt, is one of those rare acts that will see some of the finest musicians of our time performing on the same podium albeit in a different show to what people are used to.
Show organiser and owner of Jazz 105 Josh Hozheri said the uniqueness of the show was its emphasis on the veterans who play acoustic guitars hence the need for solo performances.
“It is a different presentation altogether. We want to showcase acoustic guitars, which are very rare these days.
“But Tuku, Bob (Nyabinde) and Steve (Makoni) are at the forefront of pushing for the popularisation of the acoustic guitar in Zimbabwe,” said Hozheri.
He explained that the show was also a way of showing upcoming musicians the direction that music should take, and also wean them from digital music to live instruments.
“People who play these (acoustic instruments) rehearse thoroughly and put a lot into their sound.
“But a lot of these young musicians today go on computers and rely on some software to come up with their sound, which is not healthy for the music industry.
“By putting together this cocktail of veteran acoustic guitarists, we want to promote sound and voices, at the same time giving upcoming musicians something to learn,” said Hozheri.
Tuku will without doubt headline the event.
The grandmaster – who was recently appointed Zimbabwe’s Tourism Ambassador – is expected to deliver a top-drawer act that coincides with his 59th birthday.
The affable gentleman of the guitar, microphone and dance floor also has a catalogue of hit albums that has made him a household name not only in Zimbabwe but beyond the country’s borders.
Steve Makoni, on the other hand, is one of the country’s most famous solo guitarists and singers and has over the years built a wide fan base with his music that is laced with humour.
Who wouldn’t remember the song “Sabhuku” that topped the charts some years ago, as well as the hit song “Haagadzwe” off his album “Ndada Ndada Ndada Ndada” that is enjoying a lot of airplay?
The “Headmaster” Bob Nyabinde is also another sure-fire solo musician whose music is laden with wit.
One has to listen to songs like “Chabuda Hapana” and “Pane Nyaya” among others.
The ex-headmaster has a unique style that has endeared him to many music lovers.
Mataruse is on a steady rise courtesy of the mentorship and support that he has been receiving from Tuku in recent years.