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Entertainment Reporter
INTERNATIONAL musicians who are scheduled to grace Oliver Mtukudzi’s private dinner are expected to trickle in starting on Wednesday in time for the event this Thursday.The musicians, who are expected to grace the dinner include Hugh Masekela, Judith Sephuma, Eric Wainaina, Suzanna Awiyo, Beritha Khumalo, Stewart Sukuma, Steve Dyer, Mary Bell and Samson Fero.
United States-based Mary Bell and Fero were former band members of Mtukudzi’s backing group The Black Spirits. The dinner is being organised by FBC Bank.
Priscilla Sadomba, head of group marketing for FBC Holdings, promised a delightful dinner to guests.
“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,” she said. It is a black tie affair and is by invitation only.
“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.
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.
“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,” Sam Mataure, Mtukudzi’s manager said.
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.
Online Reporter