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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Rarely do music legends get recognition when they are still alive, but it appears superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is an exception.
For this reason, a tribute dinner in honour of the granddad of music will be held on September 26 at Rainbow Towers and is being put together by FBC Bank.
Priscilla Sadoma, head of group marketing for FBC holdings, said as much as they were a big corporate they fully appreciated the arts and Tuku.
“We want to be a part of this event since we have a special relationship with Tuku. He has been our brand ambassador for the FBC MasterCard and as much as we are a big corporate we value the arts and our own legend Tuku for his great artistry. And we are going to thank him for that.
“Often we celebrate our legends when they are gone but now we want to honour him while he is still alive and make him understand what an important part of Zimbabwean history he is. It is a black tie affair and is by invitation only,” she said.
Sadomba said among invited guests will be South African icon Hugh Masekela affectionately known as Bra Hugh in jazz circles
who will honour Tuku as well as Dorothy Masuka.
“The gig is a partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Harare Jazz Festival. During the dinner there will be several performances by Zimbabwean performing artistes, so it is going to be a mixed bag,” she said.
She said they invited guests from the arts, business, diplomatic and international communities.
Tuku’s manager, Sam Mataure, was excited about the upcoming tribute shows saying it was worthwhile honouring his boss for his contribution to the industry.
“It is best that we celebrate Tuku’s life while he is here with us. For long people only think about celebrating legends when they are gone, but we want to change that and start celebrating people while they are still alive.
“We are going to have a tribute dinner as well as a gig at the Harare International Conference Centre. The gig will be co-hosted by the Harare Jazz Festival and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe,” Mataure said.
About the dinner, there is going to be the razzmatazz that is associated with red carpet treatment and dress code is black tie.
Tuku, his relatives and some of his friends will be chauffeured in a limousine to the venue.
The second tribute event will be an inclusive gig organised by Harare Jazz Festival and it features an impressive line-up of artistes both local and international. The gig is scheduled for the Harare International Conference Centre on September 27.
According to Mataure, the gig was designed to capture the attention of all Tuku Music stakeholders locally and internationally through the effective use of traditional and Internet-based media.
He said the second gig was meant to facilitate the participation of a wide cross-section of society in the celebration of Tuku’s life and career achievements.
The theme of the concert will be based on Tuku’s greatest hits, the songs that made the biggest impact on society.
A line-up of some of Zimbabwe’s top stars, young and old including Cynthia Mare, BaShupi, Tariro neGitare, Jean Masters, Munya Mataruse, Tehn Diamond, Junior Brown and Alexio Kawara will perform.
The all-hit concert will feature some key musical collaborations from Tuku’s illustrious career. He will share the stage with some of the biggest stars from the African continent such as Judith Sephuma, Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Awiyo, Beritha Kumalo, Stewart Sukuma, Steve Dyer, Mary Bell, Samson Fero and Albert Nyathi.
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