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HAMLET “Spilla” Zhou, cousin to the late Andy Brown, is set to start holding live shows after 12-year absence.
The 45-year-old had been grounded after being knocked down by a car in 2011.
He fractured his legs, hands and ribs in the accident, which occurred along Mutare Road in Msasa.
However, Spilla has been recording albums in between after being discharged from the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ Intensive Care Unit in 2013.
He has since recovered from the injuries.
He used to play the rhythm guitar for The Storm band between 1996 and 2011.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, he assembled his group called Sanganai Band.
“I am the late Andy Brown’s cousin. Out mothers were sisters, same mother and father.
“Andy was born in 1962 in Mberengwa. He was moved to Bulawayo from Mberengwa because there was fear that his mother would be quizzed how she linked up with a white man during the height of the liberation war.
Spilla said his passion for music started at a tender age.
“I started making homemade guitars from tins at the age of 12. As kids, we used to play home-made banjos which became part of our tradition.
“In 1988, Andy Brown visited us and gave us his original acoustic guitar after being impressed by us.
“In 1996, I joined Mukoma Andy’s band (The Storm) and I came to Harare where we recorded his album called Tigere, which happened to be my first studio experience.”
Spilla said his first studio experience gave him the confidence to excel in his job.
“I recorded all of Mukoma Andy Brown’s albums till his death.
“I became popular with multi-racial crowds at Book Café where we used to perform.
“There were the likes of Keith Farquharson on keyboards, who is now the biggest recording sound engineer in South Africa working with Freshly Ground band.
“The group comprised the late Adam Chisvo on mbira and percussion, Ian Hillman now in the UK on bass guitar, drummer Sam Mataure, Chiwoniso Maraire (on backing vocals, mbira and hosho). Mwendi Chibindi on backing vocals and shakers, me on the rhythm guitar and Mukoma Andy on lead guitar and lead vocals.”
Spilla reckons his guitar lines are present on most of Andy Brown’s hits.
“Up to now, the guitar lines I played are still present in Mukoma Andy’s music.
“My technique hasn’t changed, but it is now more thrilling than before,” he said.
He also revealed some of his plans, include his desire to resume live shows.
“I’m resuming live shows on the 16th of February at Bar Rouge in Harare with my six-piece band, Sanganai Band.”
Online Reporter