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Entertainment Reporter
Following their massive performance on Valentine’s Day, Afro-jazz group – Jabavu Drive makes a welcome return to ZimCafe Hotel tonight for yet another dance with their mature fans. The seasoned group will delight music lovers with their mellow jazz ditties before old school DJs rock the decks in the wee hours.
Jabavu Drive, a group which made waves with their self titled album has become more popular than the street from which the name derives. Jabavu Drive serves as a highway into Highfield, a township of Harare.
According to researcher Joyce Njenje-Makwenda, the group’s latest album is a mixture of jazz, marabi, tsabatsaba and Shona traditional music fused with storytelling.
“The musical themes focus on love, typified by ‘Isabella’, ‘Moto Moto’, and ‘Jabavu Drive’. The album embraces sheer listening pleasure for the jazz lover.”
Jabavu Drive was formed in 1998 and is made up of seasoned jazz artistes, who have persevered and survived as disciples of Township Music.
“Coming together as a band enabled them to consolidate their varied talents and skills which they displayed in the 80s to 90s,” Njenje-Makwenda said.
The group comprises guitarist Timmy Makaya, formerly of St Pauls Musami and, Phillip Svosve, a prolific lyricist, composer and saxophonist, and Roger Hukuimwe aka The Doc, because he is a medical doctor who also doubles as saxophonist and vocalist.
Other members are Dave Dimingo on vocals/guitar, Nicholas Mugona on vocals/bass and Kudzi Makaya who is following father’s footsteps.
The late Charles Mangena played keyboards and vocals. There is going to be a great deal of dancing and merry making when Jabavu Drive takes to the stage.
Burzil Mafukidze, the F&B manager at ZimCafe Hotel promised patrons a great time at the show.
“Jabavu Drive appeals to the mature crowd which patronise our venue and they are back by popular demand. This time they are the main acts and will rev up the audience until late at night. Later, the music continues with Huggies Entertainment, who are also veterans in old skool music. We are proud that the event is being sponsored by Delta and Nederburg wines,” he said.
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