adminLiberty Dube Weekender Correspondent
CONTEMPORARY Afro-Jazz ensemble Mark Sounds shrugged off stiff competition to clinch top spot in the Chibuku Road to Fame Manicaland provincial finals held at Neighbourhood Tavern in Dangamvura on Saturday.
They beat seven other contestants to claim the provincial title.
The Dangamvura-based group will now represent the province at the national finals slated for Gweru on a date to be advised.
Mark Sounds were exceptional and applied every trick in the bag to come ahead of crowd favourites, Nice to Nice and the star-studied, Neighbours Sons who were positioned second and third respectively.
The seven-member group walked away with $1 000, while Nice to Nice received $500. Neighbours Sons got $300.
Mark Sounds’ fine performance was almost spoiled after bassist, Jonas Musavaya’s bass guitar’s fourth string pulled off when they were belting arguably their best song, Kugarika tange nhamo.
The group had Assegai Crew’s Oblom Phiri to thank after he handed Jonas another bass guitar about a minute later.
They later performed the songs Kunditorera Mhuri yangu and Ndichazovei without any hiccups.
In an interview after the event, the elated group members said they made it because of practice and determination. They, however, could not hide their respect for Nice to Nice.
“This is a dream come true. We really wanted to win. We thoroughly practiced for the event. We knew it was never going to be easy. We feared Nice to Nice.
“They were good. They were outstanding, but we thank God we made it. This is quite an achievement considering that we were on number four last year. We worked on our mistakes and finally made it,” said Musavaya who is also the band leader.
Other members of the group are Petros Ushe (lead guitar), Lloyd Matika (keyboards), Seth Mehara (drums), Leslie Muparutsa (backing vocals) and Khulumani Moyo (lead vocalist).
The group has since shifted their focus to the rather insurmountable yet achievable task, the national finals.
“We have started rehearsing for the national finals. We know it will not be easy, but we will fight till the end. We would like to emulate what Joe Bhasera (Talent Falls) did to the province last year,” added the 37-year-old talented guitarist.
He paid tribute to Club Mandisa proprietor, Boniface Nyamanhindi for supporting the group by offering them a platform to showcase their talent.
Chibuku sales and distribution manager, Nobert Muzvidziwa, said the event was one of the best organised contests.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe provincial manager Jonah Muchayi, said: “The contest was impressive. It was well organised and we would like to congratulate Mark Sounds for coming out tops as well as other groups for competing. We wish them the best in future endeavours.”
Online Reporter