Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
LIVING legend Louis Mhlanga is returning home to rekindle his romance with local fans during the Heroes and Defence Forces Day holidays.
The jazz maestro will headline the Moving Jazz Café events in Bulawayo and Harare on August 8 and 9. Mhlanga, who has set base in South Africa, is considered one of the finest guitarists in Southern Africa.
He taught himself how to play a guitar, imitating the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and other rock stars from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
He has collaborated with legends like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Ray Phiri.
He studied both Southern and West African guitar traditions and successfully incorporated the traditional mbira patterns of the Shona people into his unique modern electric guitar style.
Mhlanga will lead a line-up of talented crooners in two concerts tailored for mature music lovers.
Powered by Jazz 105 and hosted by Josh Hozheri and Mehluli Moyo, the Bulawayo concert will take place at Kings Kraal, with support from Vuyo Brown, Hudson Simbarashe, and Gog’Bekezela.
In Harare, the “Distant Lover” hitmaker will perform at Centurion Pub & Grill, where he will share the stage with Victor Kunonga, Prudence Mbofana, Philip Svosve, and his band, Jabavu Drive, alongside the Sub Sahara Tribe Jazz Band.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Hozheri said the Moving Jazz Café was aimed at catering for the jazz community.
It’s a community which has been starved of such gatherings since the demise of Jazz 105, which was specifically established for this genre.
“The Moving Jazz Café has been set up to cater for jazz lovers who have been longing for this over the years since we no longer have jazz venues.
“We are basically catering for a niche market, unlike Sungura and Amapiano, which are meant for the mass market. I am working with Mehluli Moyo on this project,” said Hozheri.
He added: “The feedback from the jazz community is overwhelming, jazz still commands a remarkable following.
“Louis is a living legend who has been in the game for years.
“He has toured the world extensively and commands a lot of respect in South Africa, where he resides,” he said.
Mathew Masinge