Ray Phiri no more

FAMOUS South African jazz musician Ray Phiri died in a hospital in Nelspruit on Wednesday morning, according to SABC. Times LIVE reported that Phiri died at the age of 70 after a two-month battle with lung cancer.

Family spokesperson Paul Nkanyane confirmed Phiria��s death to TshisaLIVE and said that singer and guitar player passed at around 3.30am, surrounded by family and friends.

Since Wednesday, tributes have been pouring in for Phiri who was born to a Malawian immigrant worker.

Speaking to Nyasa Times, veteran musician Waliko Makhala said Phiri was supposed to play on some of the recordings they were doing under the MBC digitalisation project but did not come to reality.

a�?I will remember him for the creativity and his fearless character as an artiste. His guitar style was so unique. He managed to fuse different cultural elements and come up with a blend with which Stimela became a household name,a�? Makhala stated.

He added, a�?Phiri also had a distinct dancing style. A lot of Afro jazz guitarists have been inspired by Ray.a�?

Another Malawi versatile musician Masauko Chipembere paid tribute to the fallen legend, saying Phiri had left plenty to study.

a�?Rest In Peace Ray Phiri. I had hoped to meet you in this life face to face and guitar to guitar to learn about Malawian music and SA music. You have left plenty to study! Zikomo! Go well!,a�? Chipembere posted on Facebook.

Representing the new generation, Drew Moyo recalled imitating Phiri in his younger years.

a�?I remember from my childhood imitating the legendary Ray Phiri. Hambani kahle baba,a�? he said in a social media post.

Phiri was born in Mpumalanga, where he grew up dancing to his troubadour fathera��s puppet shows. In 1962, he danced for the legendary Dark City Sisters. Through that gig, he was able to save enough money to go to Johannesburg.

Phiri was a founding member of soul group the Cannibals in the 70s. The band played a Stax Records-influenced style of township funk, according to ALLMUSIC <http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chikapa-ray-phiri-mn0000534184>. After the Cannibals disbanded, Phiri formed the group Stimela. Stimela achieved critical and commercial success with gold and platinum-selling albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstacy (1991) and Look, Listen and Decide (1992).

Phiria��s celebrated single a�?a�?Highland Driftera��a��, released at the height of Zimbabwea��s struggle for independence, was banned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, and his song a�?Whispers in The Deepa�? was banned from radio but still had massive sales.

In 1986, Paul Simon asked Phiri to be a part of his successful but controversial Graceland project.A� Graceland went on to win Album of the Year at the 1987 Grammy Awards. Phiri also collaborated on Simona��s Rhythm of the Saints album.

Phiri performed with Simon on stages such as Central Park and Madison Square Garden on the albuma��s subsequent tour. Phiri also performed for Simona��s Graceland anniversary tour in 2012.

After Graceland, Phiri continued to work with Stimela and made frequent guest appearances with other African and American artistes, while also attempting to launch a solo career. In 1990, he was signed to major French record label Barclay.A� a�� Online