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Trust Khosa
VETERAN saxophonist and music teacher, Phillip Svosve, is an oasis of knowledge.
At 74, the living legend has seen a lot during a career spanning over five decades. Later this year, Svosve will celebrate 55 years in the game.
On the local musical landscape, Svosve has served an array of yesteryear stars of his generation with distinction.
For his rare feat, the local jazz community salutes him for leaving footprints of hard work, loyalty and professionalism.
At one point, Svosve gave the late James Chimombe a lifeline after he employed him at his Ocean City Band.
Chimombe had fallen on hard times after the disbanding of OK Success where he was a member. He also served the late Safirio Madzikatire, who was old enough to be his father. The late national hero Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is among Svosve’s former paymasters.
He is still in touch with Thomas Mapfumo, one of his trusted bosses.
Sadly, most of his peers are now late.
The last heartache he suffered came on March 15, 2022, when he lost Jabavu Drive co-founder Nicholas Mugona.
Taking The Herald Arts down memory lane, Svosve fought back tears as he narrated the path he walked. He is still navigating the same terrain full of thorns and obstacles.
“My heart sinks each time I reflect on the journey that I have travelled. I embrace every moment in life because I have lost my peers in showbiz.
“At the moment, I am working with kids at Jabavu Drive, which I co-founded with the late Nicholas Mugona. Percussionist Chibhodhoro (John Muyambo) is one of the surviving artistes of my generation.”
Largely self-taught, Svosve recalled how lady luck smiled on him at a young age.
“I was privileged to meet Safirio Madzikatire in the late 1960s who recruited me into his band as a bass guitarist. He was a disciplinarian who was very strict about time-keeping. He treated us as kids and there was no way indiscipline would rock his band.”
After leaving Madzikatire, Svosve joined All Saints which was based in Dzivaresekwa.
“With the All Saints Band, we became popular in Harare. The only painful thing is that other members of the band have all died, which makes me fear God for his protection.
“After the collapse of All Saints, I joined Harare Mambos B and later Delite Band,” recalled Svosve who later formed Ocean City Band.”
When Zimbabwe attained its independence, Svosve roped in Chimombe.
“James Chimombe worked with us between 1983-85 when we parted ways with him. He approached us at Club Hideout 99 where we used to perform as a resident band.
“At first Chimombe was a loyal guy when we gave him the job, but he changed his behaviour, leaving us with no option but to fire him,” he said.
The affable crooner, who is known for his forgiving heart, recalled how Chimombe betrayed them.
“When Chimombe revived his career with us, he had problems with women. One of his ladies wanted to have total control of the band, but we couldn’t allow that to happen. We sat down with him, but he remained adamant and we had no choice but to let him go.”
Svosve, who spent most of his years grooming or backing top stars, does not regret his move.
“Top musicians like Madzikatire, Tuku and Chimombe knew where to get refined instrumentalists when they had issues with their groups. As Ocean City Band, we became a nursery for aspiring jazz players as well as a rescue team for those who had either failed to assemble a band on time or deserted by players at the 11th hour.”
Like any other group, in-house fighting rocked Svosve’s band leading to a split.
“After the split, two bands were going by the name 2+2. The other faction’s name was written in figure and the other one in words which created a lot of confusion. I later decided to form Jabavu Drive with Mugona, Timmy Makaya, Charles Mangena, Jonas Sarutawa and Kenny Neshamba in 1997,” he said.
The group has three albums namely “Mukomana Wekuseri”, “Jabavu Drive” and “Harare Bound”.
Svosve, who feels lonely after losing most of Jabavu Drive Band members to death, reckons God has been protecting him for a reason.
“Of course, no one lives forever but I am now running scared because of loneliness. I am only grateful that God has been amazing.”
Online Reporter