All set for ‘Dr Nero’ gig

Normally, those who wish to promote shows have to be registered with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. However, the arts regulatory body gave the green light to Tryson Chimbetu to hold the first “Dr Nero Commemoration”, a tribute to his late father Naison Chumbetu, who was affectionately known in music as “Dr Nero”.

Andy Millar Hall is expected to reverberate to the sounds of dendera and sungura as Zimbabwe’s top musicians Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, Tryson, Peter Moyo, Douglas Chimbetu and Allan Chimbetu descend on the venue.

Tryson’s manager, Nyasha Mugari, said the gig was going ahead as planned.
“Everything is now in place and we are expecting the artistes to stage a show of a lifetime,” he said.

Macheso is on cloud nine after different organisations have shown faith in his brand through big endorsements. He is expected to play his hit song “Charakupa” that encourages people to use their talent.

The “Zora Butter” star is also expected to belt out songs on his latest album “Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure)”.
Songs such as “Macharangwanda” and “Cynthia” are proving to be popular among his die-hard fans. Forget about the lyrics on “Macharangwanda” that talks about woman’s heartbreak after the father of the child denies responsibility, it is the chants “Simudza Chauinacho” that usually sends fans into delirium.

The fusion of rhumba and sungura on the song “Cynthia” coupled with the rhumba chants “Bata mukaka wapoya” makes the song danceable.
While Macheso will be the biggest draw- card, man of the moment Suluman Chimbetu is a potential table turner. Sulu is enjoying a purple patch in his career after the release of his hugely successful album “Syllabus”.

He has perfected his performances with the introduction of the “Batai Munhu” dance. He has also mastered the “dendera” dance popularised by his late father, Simon.
As expected, Tryson is expected to belt hit song from his late father’s discography and is expected to sample songs from his latest album “Campus” set to be released on the occasion.

Tryson’s friend Peter Moyo is also expected to perform his late father’s songs since he has not released his own. The dark horse of the night is Douglas Chimbetu. Judging from his latest album “Tsimba” the man is a dendera genius in the making.

If Douglas maintains the quality and form exhibited on the album, then he could be one of the sought after dendera singers.
The album opens with the song “Vahosi” and is about a first wife in a polygamous marriage. The title track “Tsimba” talks about the direction that one takes after those who were after them.

He pays homage to his predecessors for paving the way. The devastating effects of death and how it robs people of their beloved ones is the theme of the track “Rufu” while “Tiroorane” talks about the desire for one to walk down the aisle with his or her beloved one. “Saunyama” and “Chipiseni” make up the rest of the playlist on the album.