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It is a momentous occasion, to be commemorated just as a nation commemorates its birth or as an organisation celebrates its founding.
Each year on a birthday one looks for some significance.
Sometimes it is a social or developmental marker, for example, entering adolescence or middle age, reaching legal majority, motherhood or fatherhood, among other things.
With 60 albums to his name, this year one of Zimbabwe’s most successful recording artistes, Super Star Oliver Mtukudzi turns 60 with a memorable birthday bash for him on the cards.
The birthday bash will bring together some of Africa’s best to Zimbabwe to celebrate with the multi-award winning Tuku as he marks such a milestone in his life and musical journey.
Aptly dubbed Tuku and Friends, the birthday celebration set for 21 September will see Into Yami hit maker, Ringo Madlingozi, veteran saxophonist Steve Dyer and jazz maestro Judith Sephuma as the main acts at the celebration.
The organising committee comprises Josh Hozheri, Patson “Chipaz” Chimbodza and Taka Mashonganyika.
Speaking to Saturday Leisure, Hozheri said they had planned the bash with stars from Africa to honour Mudhara Tuku as a music icon in this country as well as internationally. “This year we decided to honour Mudhara Tuku by inviting some of his close friends in the music circles as he commemorates his 60th birthday.
These are some of Africa’s finest that he has worked with in his musical career and as such, we would like them to help him celebrate his life with them,” said Hozheri.
He said local acts that would perform alongside the music gurus include affable sungura maestro Alick Macheso, jazz crooner Jeys Marabini, urban grooves sensation Diana Samkange, enterprising Jah Prayzah, Willom Tight, Fungisai Mashavave and Dendera United.
He said the gig would take place at the Andy Miller Hall and Mtukudzi would be flown from Norton to the venue in a helicopter.
Tuku, as he is affectionately known by his legion of fans, was born on 21 September 1952 in Highfield.
He is a father of five and two of his children are also musicians. His son Sam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010.
Tuku first cut his teeth in the professional world of music in 1977 when he released the legendary Wagon Wheels which also featured Thomas Mapfumo and they recorded their first single Dzandimomotera, whose sales went gold.
From then onwards, he never looked back and went on to produce his first album Ndipeiwo Zano whose sales soared, promising him a bright future on the music scene.
At the attainment of Independence in 1980, Tuku and the Black Spirits produced Africa, one of the most important albums of its time, and with the two hits it spawned, Zimbabwe and Madzongonyedze.
From then onwards, Tuku has produced at least two albums every year which totalled 60 albums in 2011.
In 1993, he starred in one of Zimbabwe’s finest movies Neria and he made a sound track for it.
Tuku was ordained the Superstar after receiving a number of awards. He received his first musical award in 1985 for the Best Selling Artiste in Zimbabwe.
He got the coveted Kora award in 2002 for best arrangement for the hit track Ndakuvara.
From then his name has been synonymous with top African awards that include the Sama, Kora and Reel Awards in South Africa.
He has scooped countless awards at the local Arts Merit Awards (Nama).
In a career spanning over 30 years and nearly 60 albums, Tuku has not only shared the stage with some of Africa’s greats, he has gone further to record duets with them.
In 2001, he worked with South African jazz artiste Ringo Madlingozi on the hit track Into Yami and has also extensively worked with Steve Dyer on many of his albums.
His 60th album Abiangu (Duets of My Time) is a selection of some of the duets he has done at home and abroad and features the likes of duets with James Chimombe, Susan Mapfumo, Biggie Tembo, Ringo, Judith Sephuma, Cesaria Evora, Moreen Lilanda, Afro Tenor, Eric Wainana, Fungisayi Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Willom Tight and Leonard Zhakata.
His musical life has also been not so rosy. In 2009, Mtukudzi ditched his manager Debbie Metcalfe, sacked six band members and recruited two more in an extensive reshuffle of his Black Spirits band.
The same year saw his side-kick Picky Kasamba calling it a day after 25 years of service with the Superstar.
Last year, the Black Spirits saw an exodus of band members citing poor remuneration from the veteran musician.
Tuku has managed to build a music institution in Norton called Pakare Paye Arts Centre.
Tuku is on a world tour and is reported to be in America after a superb tour of the UK where he had the opportunity to share the stage with Alick Macheso.
After the US, he is headed for Canada.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu