SOUTH African musician Steve Dyer on Friday said he was honoured to be part of the celebrations at the Oliver Mtukudzi Tribute Gala.
Silence Charumbira
Dyer, who has recorded and performed several times with Tuku, was speaking on the sidelines of the tribute concert.
“It is an honour to be part of such an event. Tuku is a great person worth celebrating and tonight . . . it is all about him,” Dyer said. Dyer was one of the foreign artistes performing with Tuku including fellow South Africans Hugh Masekela and Judith Sephuma, Kenyans Eric Wanaina and Suzana Owiyo and Mozambican Stewart Sukuma.
The star-studded line-up of local artistes included South Africa-based Berita Khumalo, Cynthia Mare, Alexio Kawara, Jah Prayzah, Tariro Ruzvidzo, Ba Shupi, Dudu Manhenga, Prayersoul Mtungamiri, Sulumani Chimbetu, Alick Macheso, Steve Makoni and Ammara Brown.
The Black Spirits won the day with former members Clive Mono Mukundu, Piki Kasamba and now manager and drummer Sam Mataure with Munya Mataruse on the acoustic guitar.
Ba Shupi performed the song Shami earning himself cheers from the crowd for his imitation of Tuku’s voice and dance moves. Mare did exceptionally well with the song Perekedza Mwana, while Khumalo was the first to do a solo performance, playing the acoustic guitar to be followed by Awiyo in the same routine. Sukuma also had a great day in office when he performed, mixing Shona and Portuguese.
The climax of the show was, however, when all participants came together on stage to sing a birthday song for Tuku, who turned 61 a week ago.
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They were led by jazz singer Dudu Manhenga.
The show ended with a procession of musicians led by Jah Prayzah marching on stage while saluting their fans for sharing the special night with them.
Even the unreasonably deterrent beverage prices that saw the cheapest local drink selling at $3 as well as cloggy queues did not dampen the event.
Although the attendance was nothing compared to that of last year’s birthday celebrations when over 15 000 people attended, it was clear the organisers had done most of their work except the ‘lockdown’ system that blocked revellers from leaving the venue once they had entered.
