UPCOMING Afro-jazz musician Geraldine Mundandishe, also known as Lady Gee, recently released her second album at a colourful ceremony at Dandaro Inn in Harare.
BY ARTS CORRESPONDENT
The eight-track album titled Tabvongonyodza carries the songs Hakuna Wakaita Sewe, Tabvongonyodza, Dzikama, Babie-Babie, Kuparikwa,Wandikoshera, Nthombi and Mamera.
She produced her first album Sweet Lover in 2012, which carried the hit song Wandinoda featuring man of the moment, Jah Prayzah.
The launch was graced by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe chairperson Elvas Mari who said it was encouraging to see young people venturing into arts.
“It’s good to see young people doing arts and at her age, she will go a long way,” Mari, who was the guest of honour, said.
He said following government’s decision to scrap duty for the importation of public address (PA) systems, musicians should take advantage of the move.
“I want to tell all our artistes that the government has scrapped duty on PA systems for musicians who want to import their PA systems.
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“They can come to our offices and we will assist them with their paperwork,” he said.
Geraldine told NewsDay on the sidelines of the launch that it was not easy to convince her parents she wanted to venture into music.
“At the age of 23 years, it is not easy to convince your parents that you’re into music because there is a wrong perception about this industry. They think when you go into music as a woman, you’re now into prostitution,” she said.
Artistes who attended the function included Dino Mudondo, Pius Makokowe, Ras Caleb and Jairos Chabvonga.
Meanwhile, jazz musician Myrah Dube put up a splendid performance at The New Club over the weekend.
Performing for a largely high-end audience at the members-only club, Myrah took music lovers down memory lane with renditions of yesteryear hits coupled with her own compositions.
The performance, which was a special dedication to The New Club members, was in two parts, with a break for refreshments.
The club’s chairperson, Wadson Muchemwa, said they were happy to support local arts.
“We are strictly a members-only club with membership drawn from diverse backgrounds, but all with profiles that can add value to the local arts sector and the community at large,” he said.
Myrah, whose new album Introducing Myrah is receiving favourable airplay on local and South African radio stations, was excited by her performance.
“Music, particularly Afro-jazz is no stroll in the park,” she said.
“One really needs to make the grade. Getting gigs is a nightmare because promoters prefer up tempo performances. I am, however, encouraged by the progress I am making.”
Myrah’s performances have been mainly confined to upmarket venues and corporate functions, but she said she was now ready to take her music to the people.
“I feel that my music relates to all Zimbabweans and I’d be happy to perform with other established musicians at the many big gigs that are hosted around Zimbabwe.
“The best of me is still to come and I know music lovers will not be disappointed,” she said.
