One Plus One band on jazz revival mission

The band members bemoaned how most jazz bands were dying, a development which is detrimental to the growth of the genre.
Managed by Jethro Mayenzanise, One Plus One Jazz Band came into existence in 2010 and it comprised five band members.
Among them are twin brothers Mthandazo and Zibusiso Ndlovu, popularly known as the Matlow twins, a name they got from their grandfather Jethro Mayenzanise the manager
Other band members include Harry Gwazi, the lead singer, George Salim who is also a drummer and Themba Tshuma, a backing vocalist and sound engineer.

The band has wowed revellers with its live performances that have taken many down memory lane.
In an interview, band member Mthandazo “Wesley Matlow” Ndlovu said the band was set to turn around the jazz genre to a whole different level in a bid to bring back the once sensational genre in the city.

“Jazz as a genre has taken a peripherial position in the local arts industry.
“We, however, have been humbled by the response we are getting from those who appreciate our music which has urged us to revive the genre,” he said.
Matlow also said he was looking forward to collaborating with a number of locally based jazz bands before including other bands outside the city.

“We are looking forward to working with various bands from the city among them Cool Crooners, Friends Jazz Band and The Submarine Jazz Band.
“We would then involve other bands outside the city,” he said.
Matlow also said jazz was a unique genre that caters for a broad audience.

“What makes jazz a unique genre is that it caters for everyone.
“Youths can also enjoy our music which reflects the good old days their folks used to dance the night away,” he said.
Manager and owner of One Plus One Jazz Band, Mayenzanise, said he was proud of his ‘boys’ and had plans to recruit female members too.

“I am very proud of the boys, though I strongly feel the need to engage female artistes whom I know will make a vast difference in our live performances,”  he said.

The band has performed at numerous events including  Intwasa festivals. The band has become popular through music that takes revellers down memory lane with songs from musicians like Tembo Brothers, Bundu Boys, Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, Miriam Makeba and Zahara. Though some of the songs on their repertoire are from other genres they always give them a jazz feel.

The band has been housed at Cape to Cairo where revellers said they could not get enough of the band.
“I tell you when these guys are on stage, they just make you feel young again.

“Their music is mature and has an appeal of our roots as Africans,” said a patron known as Dlodlo.
Another patron, Oliver Makoni, who is in his late 20s said their music appealed to a wide audience.

“My friends and I come here a lot especially when this band is playing.
“Their music cuts across all ages and as it is they just played my all time favourite Mbabvu Yangu by legendary Tuku,” said Makoni.
Cool Crooners spokesperson Abel Sithole said they were more than willing to revive the genre.

“We would be happy to work alongside One Plus One Band including other bands,” he said.
“This has motivated us to want to collaborate with other jazz artistes so as to take the genre to another level,” he said.