Katarina guitarist makes waves with new album

Entertainment Reporter
PATIENCE and perseverance seems to be paying off for Katarina’s former guitarist Costa Songo if the warm reception that his latest album “Zvinowanikwa” is receiving is anything to go by.

Songo joined Katarina (Susan Chenjerai)’s band, The Waves as a bass guitarist in 1996 before it disbanded shortly, after which he then went on to join Leonard Zhakata’s Zimbabwe All Stars for yet another short stint.

It was then that the artiste decided to launch his solo career about 15 years ago during which he released close to five albums, with the latest being “Zvinowanikwa”. The six-track release is currently doing well on the music charts on various radio stations as well at his recording company, Diamond Studios, who are also marketing and distributing it. Songo himself attributes this success to the wealth of experience he gleaned from working for various artistes and groups in Zimbabwe, from Farai Brothers, led by Douglas Chibadura, young brother to the late sungura musician, John, Katarina as well as Zhakata.

“I grew up with a passion for music and always loved music by the late Safirio Madzikatire, as well as his television drama series, ‘Mhuri YaMukadota’. I then joined a brick-moulding company which had a company band and naturally I became a member and it during this time that we would meet with the Ngwenya Brothers when they were at their peak. “When I relocated to Chitungwiza I then hooked up with Douglas Chibadura and played with him along Zakaria Zakaria who played the rhythm guitar for that band.

“The band split and I then moved on to Epworth where I met Katarina and played with her band The Waves, and then Zhakata’s group, Zimbabwe All Stars during the period when the late Thomas Makion had left with a number of band members to form his own group,” he said.

Songo attributes his big break in music to Pastor Kasi whom he said identified and promoted his talent. “It was Pastor Kasi who identified my talent. I was from the Zaoga Church and we used to embark on nationwide crusades. It was during these outreaches that Pastor Kasi realized that I had what it took to be a musician,” he said. It was in 1999 that Songo decided to test the waters and recorded his debut album “Miyedzo” with ZMC, while “Zvingaoma Sei” followed two years later. He collaborated on this project with a friend, Pedzisayi Arufero. Apart from these albums, some of his releases include the single “Mwana Sikana” (1993) and “Mushamukadzi” both of which were recorded on vinyl format.

“I am grateful to the support that Diamond Studios are giving me in my music and they have indicated that they will be shooting a DVD for the album,” Songo said.