Producer looks ahead

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Prolific drummer Enock Kamhiriri, who recently set up a new studio in the United Kingdom, believes Zimbabwean musicians who live abroad have a lot to do in lifting the country’s flag high.

Named Healing Hands Recording Studio and Film Production, the studio has been specialising in recording gospel artistes and film productions in the UK.

Kamhiriri is a former drummer for Hohodza Band, Taso, Mbuya Madhuve and has been playing drums for Thomas Mapfumo, Obert Mazivisa and Jane Doka during some of their shows in the UK

“The arts industry in Zimbabwe is growing and it is a source of income for many people,” he said. For him the development of the sector is not only centred on the arts governing board, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, and artistes in the country only but for every citizen.

“It’s not only the NACZ or artistes in the country, but even musicians , producers and visual artistes in the Diaspora who are also responsible for the development of the arts industry,” he said. He said he was aiming to produce quality music with different gospel musicians who are based in the United Kingdom.

So far he has worked with gospel musicians such as Mai Tongogara of the “Ndisimbiseiwo” fame and Pineal Munatsi of “Zviri Kufaya NdiMwari” fame.

“We have a number of musicians I have worked with as a producer and they have already recorded success,” he said. Back home he has worked with gospel musician Mathias Mhere and they have a song “Kuzviitira”.

“We have several artistes here who need to be assisted to achieve their goals in the arts industry,” he said. The experience he gained while working with several artistes was enough to inspire him to set up a studio. He is also one of the directors of Rhema Praise, a promotional company that has been inviting gospel artistes to perform in the UK.

“Art is a form of employment and that explains why I joined Hohodza Band in 1993 when I finished my education,” he said.