Cosy mbira jazz night thrills fans

Tsitsi Ndabambi
Seasoned Jazz musicians Oran Etkin and Marcos Varela bid farewell to this land by doing their last joint performance with mbira trio Irene Chigamba, Tute Chigamba and Wiriranai Chigonga at Dr Solomon Guramatunhu’s residence.

Optometry god Dr Guramatunhu is a celebrated arts connoisseur and jazz just happens to be one of his indulgences!

The mixed audience, which consisted of high profile people in society, enjoyed listening to the melodic musical notes flowing from Oran’s saxophone and clarinet which were blended by the bass coming from the strings which bassist Marcos was strumming from his guitar.

The two adventurous Americans, who were on tour and managed to entertain at Theatre in the Park, had an opportunity to meet and share notes with mbira maestros the Chigamba family and Mr Chigonga.

After a few nights of practicing together at the Chigamba homestead, according to Oran, their music playing sessions almost turned into a mini “bira”; they performed together some traditional Zimbabwean songs and got along like a house on fire!

With their cool sounds to the song “Chigwaya”, they sent an eruption of goosebumps across the skin to all who were listening to this very familiar music with an unfamiliar unique touch.

They all played it with their combined tools automatically pulling the audience from their seats to dance to classic all-time favourite “Kutapira Kunoita Manhanga”.

Promoter Eren Levenglou, who made the duo’s visit possible, made sure that they experienced this soil’s tradition by introducing them to the traditional ethnic culture and making sure that they did not only perform on local platforms.

They were given an unforgettable adventure staying in both a hotel and a traditional African homestead sampling a scrumptious meal of sadza and an array of meats as well as leaf vegetables.

Dr Guramatunhu is well known for promoting fine art and besides such concerts such as this one for his colleagues and friends, he also has an eye for sculpture, canvas art, artefacts from all walks of life that catches his eye including musical and poetic arts to his list.

He has an eye for art. No wonder he is an eye doctor!