adminwhen you hear names like Orchestra Mberikwazvo or Orchestra Dendera Kings, these are just names that do not necessarily mean or have anything to do with the real orchestra ensembles.
In fact, a smaller-sized orchestra during the 20th century comprised about 50 players while a full-size orchestra is made up of about 100 players.
So don’t be surprised to hear Jah Prayzah when he fuses marimba, mbira, traditional rhythms, afro-jazz and reggae because he is not what you think he is — he is just a musician.
Getting to know Jay Prayzah isn’t so difficult as he speaks his mind while at the same time maintaining his composure.
Born Mukudzei Mukombe, the “Gochi Gochi” hitmaker almost became a musician by default after his dream of joining the Zimbabwe National Army flopped when he completed his A-Levels at Kambuzuma High 1.
Stung by unemployment, the 24-year-old then started out a career in music on a full-time basis and his efforts did not go to waste.
“I attended secondary school in Murehwa at Musanhi School before I moved to Harare. After finishing school I applied to join the army but somehow things did not go according to plan and that’s when I got a calling to do music,” an excited Jah Prayzah said.
Even his stage regalia of beret and military-type costumes is inspired by his love for the army.
In other circles, Jah Prayzah is often called the “Captain” of his band — The Third Generation. In the same band he has got a look-alike called Pride, who plays drums.
“Usually when people see Pride on our tour bus they often think it’s me and yet he is just my drummer. We are no way related and it is just a coincidence that we look alike,” he said.
He started by holding shows on the outskirts of Harare, building a loyal fan base. And during one of those shows, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, one of top music promoters in the country, spotted him on stage.
“I was curtain-raising for Progress Chipfumo at Takarangana Nightclub in Hatcliffe when Chipaz attended the show. We met backstage and he told me that I had a future in music and that he wanted to assist me.
“So he bought me mbira instruments and he would pay for my transport as well as the (music) kit. Chipaz is a different promoter because unlike others who come when you are already making waves, he is the one who identifies and gives you the platform and, quite honestly, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today,” the dreadlocked singer said.
And perhaps Chipaz was right after all, Jah Prayzah is one of the fastest rising young artistes at the moment with his music getting heavy rotation in most pubs and on radio. Outside Greater Harare, Jah Prayzah commands a huge following in places like Gokwe, Shamva, Guruve, Rusape and Mutare, just to mention a few.
Previously he held shows every Wednesday at Jazz 105 but starting tomorrow, he will stage his first show at the venue on a Friday.
His video for the song “Maria” was voted the best on ZBCTV’s shutdown chart show.
A lot of his music is about joy, happiness and love as evidenced in the songs “Gochi Gochi”, “Sori Mama” and “Sungano”.
Besides his three albums recorded at Diamond Studios — “Rudo Nerunyararo”, “Sungano Yerudo” and “Ngwarira Kuparara” — Jah Prayzah has over 90 singles, which have reached out to fans thanks to piracy.
“It’s always good to see that out of a bad thing there comes a good thing and piracy has really helped many artistes to market their music, me included.
“However, it (piracy) is now killing the survival of record companies because artistes now depend on concerts and shows and not sales,” he said.
Currently, he is putting together a new album due for release later this year. Backed by his Third Generation band, Jah Prayzah says he is aiming to become one of the top performers in the next five or so years.
The last born in a family of five, Jah Prayzah is a father of one, Mukudzei Junior (2), and is married to Rufaro Chiworeso.
Online Reporter