Kunonga mourns drummer

Laura Maposa

AWARD-WINNING jazz musician, Victor Kunonga, is devastated following the death of his long-serving drummer, Denis Mushaishi.

The talented drummer died on Sunday after a short illness. He was 36.

Speaking to H-Metro, Kunonga said he was deeply hurt by the loss, as they had worked together for 17 years.

“Denis was like a little brother to me who had grown to be my best friend,” he said.

“His death comes as a blow to us since we had known each other for some time.

“He was unwell, but we thought he would make it.”

Kunonga hailed Denis for his contribution to the music sector.

“He grew to understand the DNA of the Victor Kunonga band and he stayed put despite disagreements here and there,” he said.

“I relied on Denis to teach new recruits as he was a key member.

“He was involved in a lot of recording so this comes as a huge loss, not just to me, but the whole music industry.

“Denis had grown to shape up the music industry and he was stuck with me,” he said.

Denis will be buried at Zororo Memorial Park today.

His body was taken to House No. 9920 Unit H, Seke, yesterday where fellow musicians paid their last respects.