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Zvishavane band majors in two genres

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THE little town of Zvishavane is so quiet, yet it continues producing some of the most promising musical groups and some of the best musicians.

THE little town of Zvishavane is so quiet, yet it continues producing some of the most promising musical groups and some of the best musicians.

Report by Garikai Tunhira Entertainment Reporter

While Gift Amuli of the Wamatuka fame might have left his base for Harare, that did not mean no music would ever be produced from the mining town.

Shuro Jazz Band, a jazz outfit based in the asbestos mining town, has released two albums in their debut year.

Band leader Patrick Mbewe said they formed the group last year and have managed to record two albums this year – jazz and sungura – two seperate genres.

“We managed to record two albums in one month,” he said. “We recorded a sungura album, Upenyu, and a jazz one, Welcome to Zvishavane. We did this in order to reach out to different musical tastes.”

Mbewe said they had conceptualised the two albums after having conducted research on what the Zvishavane market needed.

He said they had roped in two former Devera Ngwena Jazz Band members; bassist Innocent Bitu and vocalist John Sai Machinya, to boost self-assurance in the youthful group members.

“We solicited the services of two former Devera Ngwena Jazz Band members, bassist Innocent Bitu and vocalist John Sai Machinya, so they could assist in giving confidence to the young ones in the group.

“They are experienced musicians and we needed that to produce quality music.”

“The 10-track album Welcome to Zvishavane summarises social life, not only in Zvishavane, but everywhere else. It talks of what people go through on a daily basis,” he said.

He added: “Upenyu is an effort in putting the town (Zvishavane) on the limelight after we noticed that there are a number of activities going on in the town.

“We have two football teams (FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine) that are in the Premier Soccer League in addition to mining activities. So we were just welcoming people into our city.”

Welcome to Zvishavane contains songs such as Jojo, Ndakashereketa, Rudo, Mari and Ndasuwa Paruzevha.

There is also Kudzidza Hakuperi, Nyika Isina Rinda, Hwahwa, Tsotsi and the instrumental Mari.

On the six-track album Upenyu are tracks Zimbabwe, Ndanetswa, Makomborero, Hanganwa, Musarapavana and Joni.

Shuro Jazz Band is a 17-piece band in Zvishavane, currently headlining events in the small town.

Last Power Media recorded and distributed both albums.