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UPCOMING jazz outfit, The afriCANs, has collaborated with top South African saxophonist, Sizwe Ntuli on a song titled Chikuri Rudo.
The song was released on Africa Day as a testimony that music is a unifying force.
Speaking to H-Metro, one of The afriCANs band members, Nyevero Muza, who is a singer, songwriter and guitarist said:
“We released this song at a time when there are xenophobic tensions between Zimbabweans and some section of the South African society.
“ We released the song on Africa Day as testimony that music is a unifying force.
“For the afriCANs, an upcoming band from the small mining town of Mvuma to pull off a collaboration with Sizwe Ntuli, a saxophonist from Etwatwa Township in Mzanzi is nothing short of remarkable and a testament to the power of music as a tool for improving communication and fostering peace and unity,” said Muza.
He added:
“When we initially recorded Chikuru Rudo in June 2021 at Naletha Media with Tamie Bimha, we never intended to have a saxophone in the mix.
“It was meant to be a sungura song with some jazz influences.
“ However, a chance meeting with saxophonist Sizwe Ntuli in October 2021 in a music shop in South Africa and an impromptu jam session changed everything.
“We struck an immediate understanding, despite never having met before, proving – if any proof was ever needed – that music is indeed a universal language.
“Much later, in January 2022, we agreed to lay down saxophone tracks for a version, featuring Sizwe Ntuli on alto saxophone.
“This was duly recorded at Pollack Recording Studio in Daveyton, RSA on the 8th of February and 9th of March 2022 and we worked with the studio entirely online thanks to technology, but of course Sizwe made it to the studio and we communicated with him via telephone while he was there.
Sipho Maseko, an award- winning producer who has worked at Kalawa Jazmee, engineered, mixed and mastered the song.
But it was Sizwe who did justice to Chikuru Rudo by bringing an entirely new dimension to the song.
The afriCANs worked with seasoned instrumentalists comprising Tapiwa Muza who played the bass guitar, Carlton Mparutsa (drums), Nick Nare (keyboards), Jacky Mavhita (keyboards) Nicholar Mutuwa (backing vocals) and Ted Wengoma on percussion.
Sizwe, also known as Jazziesoul, was born on August 28th August 1991 in Etwatwa at a township located in the Ekurhuleni region of the Gauteng Province.
His musical journey began in 2004 when he joined a gospel group, starting off as a vocalist.
During that time, he shared the stage with award winning gospel legends such as Sipho Makhabane and Benjamin Dube.
He has worked with the likes of Messrs Khaya Mahlangu, Prince Lengoasa, Banny Rachabane and Dr Jonny Mekoa.
JazzieSoul has performed at various gigs, sharing the stage with artists such as DJ Sbu, Zamo Dhlamini, Mafikizolo, Ringo, Tshepo Tshola, Lady Zamar, Mahoota, Euphoric, Vusi Nova, Ntando, HotStixs Bongani Hadebe and many more.
The afriCANs is made up of Nyevero Muza and Nigel Tapiwa.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter