JAH Prayzah and Sulumani Chimbetu will be forced to drop some of their key band members and use one band on their tour of the United Kingdom in October.
REPORT BY GODWIN MUZARI,GROUP LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Sources revealed that show organisers in the UK came up with the one-band idea to cut costs.
The eight-member band to back the two musicians will comprise four members from each side plus the two leaders.
It would be the first time for the musicians, whose genres are completely different, to share the same instrumentalists and vocalists for a whole show.
Their previous joint acts on stage were limited to the performance of their duet Sean Timba which earned them the nickname “Batai Munhu combination”.
It was not clear by yesterday, which band members from the Jah Prayzah team would make it to the final team, but NewsDay is reliably informed Chimbetu’s Orchestra Dendera Kings would provide bass guitarist, lead guitarist, drummer and backing vocalist.
Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah are expected to start experimenting with the new band at a show at Private Lounge near Holly’s Hotel tonight.
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Although they would each bring a full band for the Private Lounge show, sources said they would start trying their combinations tonight. They are, however, expected to have their separate slots as usual.
For the whole of September, the musicians are expected to work on the combinations during joint shows and rehearsals in order to take a perfect team to the UK.
There are said to be fears of rebellion within both camps and the duo is believed to have swallowed the bitter condition in a desperate attempt to take the “Batai Munhu combination” to the UK for the first time.
Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah both confirmed the new development, but could not give finer details.
Chimbetu said the set-up was convenient because they would not perform for long hours at their UK shows.
“I cannot say much about the issue because of our contracts, but we know we will make it because there are shorter performance hours in the UK than here,” Chimbetu said.
“We will share the stage with another renowned local musician and some opening acts, which makes our time on stage manageable with one band.”
Jah Prayzah said their working relationship with Chimbetu would make everything smooth.
“We both have talented instrumentalists and it will be easy for them to adjust. I have confidence in my team and I know guys from Sulu’s side have the experience required to play in any band,” Jah Prayzah said.
