Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
VETERAN saxophonist Phillip Svosve has expressed willingness to assist Davitah Chimombe in his quest to revive his late father’s Ocean City Band.
Davitah, the son of the late James Chimombe, has been pursuing his musical career in South Africa.
He has been closely collaborating with Freddy Gwala.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Svosve, who worked with the late crooner, shared his desire to support Davitah, who is also his nephew.
“I have made contact with Davitah, who has been doing well musically in South Africa,” Svosve stated.
“I have always been in touch with him, and it’s quite pleasing that he wants to revive the Ocean City Band.
“Of course, I have assembled my own group, but I will be readily available. It would be refreshing to see the son of my friend honouring his legacy in this way.
“It shows that he is not only professional, but also respects his elders, even after the passing of his father.”
Svosve, who had a successful partnership with Chimombe in the 1980s, emphasised his continued connection with Davitah’s family.
“For your information, I was a good friend of Jimmy, despite being close relatives. I was his uncle and that bond made our relationship even stronger than that of former band members. It is now my duty to assist his son and the best way to do this is by contributing a song to his upcoming album and sharing insights as he seeks to revive the Ocean City Band,” he emphasised.
Svosve, who initially played the bass guitar before switching to the saxophone, reflected on Chimombe’s immense talent.
“It’s no secret that Chimombe was incredibly gifted, and I still have fond memories of our time together. Now, assisting his son is remarkably encouraging.
Davitah Chimombe
“Back in the day, we would secure contracts with beerhall owners, which motivated us to work hard, as we took music seriously. Unfortunately, today, some view it as a pastime,” he reminisced.
“I will certainly impart the same skills to his son. I cannot forsake him because, culturally, he is our son. It is our duty to nurture him so that he can fulfil his father’s wishes. We want to see his legacy continue.”
In another interview, Davitah, who is currently in the country, expressed his excitement about collaborating with his uncle on this new journey.
“I came here specifically for that project, as I want the blessings of my uncle and my father’s former friend, Elder Phillip Svosve,” he said.
“He worked with my dad and I want some insights from him in my dream to revive the Ocean City Band.
“Of course, some of the founders of the group are no longer with us, but with Svosve guiding me, nothing is impossible. We are composing a song together, and I just want him to add that spark needed for me to make an impression in this field.
“I am more than ready to involve him in this project; all I want are his blessings, wisdom, and, of course, a collaboration to ensure that I also make an impact in showbiz. It won’t be easy for me to reach his level, but we keep trying.”
Davitah, whose strength lies in vocal progression and song-writing, has urged Zimbabweans to embrace him.
“At the moment, I have been well-received in South Africa, where I work, and I also want the same favour to be shown by my kin.
“We want to defy the myth that ‘a prophet has no honour in his homeland.’ I am confident that I can also succeed if I remain focused on my career, which is essential in this profession,” he stressed.
The crooner, who has been holding a series of shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town, believes he can also conquer his home turf.
“I have lined up a series of shows back home, and I am more than ready to accomplish that mission with the help of various stakeholders,” he said. “I can also build on my father’s success, whose music is still popular with fans, especially those who appreciate old-school sounds.”
Meanwhile, Davitah is busy in the studio working on a new album titled “Jikinya Memories,” which is due for release early next month.
He has recorded a series of polished singles, including “Moyo Wangu,” “Chitima CheNjanja,” and “Usaende.”
It remains to be seen if he can evolve and meet the standards set by the fans who cherished all-time classics, including “Cecilia,” “Munakandafa,” and “Jemedza,” among others.
Davitah’s quest to revive Ocean City Band comes at a time when his sister, Tendai Chimombe, has been doing the same. His late brother, Freddy Chimombe, tried his best before his death in 2012.
Now, the ball is in Davitah and Tendai’s court to keep the legacy going.
