STRADDLING the acoustic guitar’s belt across her shoulders, one hand tunes the chords while the other is busy finger-picking.
Report by Garikai Tunhira, Own Correspondent
Despite being a novice in the music industry, one is tempted to think she is a veteran with the guitar because of the expertise she shows in playing the instrument.
Even when she is singing the song Some People to the acoustic sound coming out clean from the guitar, Rudorwashe Chasi exudes confidence.
Having learnt how to play the guitar through the Internet, she has what it takes to go places and carve a niche for herself in music circles. She has also roped in a tutor, Kudakwashe Chambe, who has been sharpening her skills.
The 24-year-old, a Bachelor of Law Degree graduate with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Chasi said music had been her passion since she was young.
“I have always loved singing since I was young. When I was growing up, I would sing even in the shower. I would write songs and teach them to my sisters,” Chasi.
“Some say it’s Afrojazz, but I call it Rudo Music, having been inspired by the legend Oliver Mtukudzi who named his music Tuku Music.”
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With a six-piece band, she said she was preparing for an upcoming show where she would collaborate with mbira player Jeslin Robeni. The show, dubbed “A Night of Music”, will be held on the night of November 9 at Freshly Ground Coffee Bar in Avondale, Harare.
“We are trying to produce something different. Most of the songs are in Shona since I can express much myself better in the language. But I have English ones as well,” Chasi said.
Her most notable song is the one titled Some People, which has left tongues wagging owing to the rich message in it.
“It talks about how people will love someone for different things, but that as humans we need God to help us with the spirit of discernment so that we know who really love us for who we are,” she said.
Another song, Woda Sei, explores how selfless love is and that one should learn to let go of the wrongs done in their relationship. There is also Destiny which talks about one fulfilling their God-given purpose while in Africa Sun, she discusses the issue of self-identity as well as being content with oneself.
She has played at the Acoustic Night at German Society, organised by Tariro Ruzvidzo, a guitarist as well.
Last week, she played at the Sisters Open Mic and it was her fourth time playing there.
She first played at the Sisters Open Mic session in July, which was also her first public performance.
“I was very nervous the first time I played the guitar while singing. But with the number of shows I have held, I have managed to gain confidence before a huge crowd. I have been a lead singer in many choir groups for the past 12 years and it has helped me with confidence.”
She has also strummed the acoustic guitar at a fundraising concert, Jazz Night, at Arundel High School, where Ruzvidzo played as well as the Prince Edward High School Band.
At the Girl Child Creativity, a function held to support females to have a voice in music and poetry and organised by poet Mbizvo Chirasha, Chasi also exhibited her prowess.
She draws her inspiration from the word of God, her life experiences and the experiences of the people around her.
Being a songbird in the making, Chasi performs at weddings, parties, corporate functions and even family events.
