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Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
A number of local drummers will converge at Book Cafe tomorrow for a show dubbed “Here Come the Drums”, which will also feature female vocalists Cynthia Mare and Uza Manhenga.
Many local drummers will exhibit their prowess in celebrating experimental and unique instrumentation.
Paul Brickhill, director of Book Cafe said: “A new generation of younger drummers is today making their mark in the country and starting to exhibit skills, timing and mastery of styles to compete with some of the best in Zimbabwe’s music pantheon”.
Brickhill said the new crop of drummers was competent enough and can stand their own, that’s why they it prudent to give them a platform to perform.
Other drummers to take the stage include Tami Bimha, Othnell “Mangoma” Moyo, Constard Ouedrago, Obey Mudiwa and Simba Saini.
Foremost amongst these is Blessing Muparutsa a founding member of Color Blu led by his wife Dudu Manhenga.
Another seasoned drummer is Blessing “Bleds” Chimanga who works with ZimboIta, Chikwata 263 and others, he is a rising star whose solo work is starting to take shape.
In the past, Zimbabwe produced world-renowned drummers in jazz, rock and across traditional and Afro-fusion styles.
African percussion instruments and styles have influenced and shaped world music to such a degree that it has left its mark on all major genres.
Arguably the greatest drummer in Zimbabwe’s history was late the jazz maestro Jethro Shasha who, before heading to an acclaimed career in South Africa, starred in epic shows in the 1980s alongside such greats as Simangaliso Tutani (saxophone), Paul Lunga (trumpet), Chris Chabuka (piano) and many others.
Through the 1990s and 2000s, Sam Mataure established a reputation as a virtuoso freestyle jazz drummer, and also played for great artistes of the time including, Oliver Mtukudzi and Andy Brown.
Uza and Mare will add flavour to the drums affair tomorrow with their performances.
Online Reporter