CONTEMPORARY Afro-jazz music diva, Wanai and the Blue Band, recently launched a new seven-track album, Book of love that demonstrates her vocal prowess in a fine blend of Jazz and Afro-pop.
BY AGNES GUDZA
Here is one musician who has walked the whole gamut — from gospel music early in her music career through urban grooves to the current Afro-jazz — and, unlike a rolling stone, she was able to gather enough moss that has given her music a perfect touch.
“I started singing gospel music with a friend who then got married and had to leave music. We recorded an album titled Born to Sing. I then found another genre I felt I could settle in, which was the urban grooves sound. Right now, what I can say is that I have finally found my home in contemporary Afro-jazz music,” Wanai said in an interview with NewsDay.
The artiste, who also joined top musician Willis Wataffi’s mentorship programme, Qaya Rootz, said she was determined to make it in the music industry.
Three out of the seven tracks on the album were penned by Wataffi, who also featured in one of the songs, giving it a blend of experience and finesse.
Wanai has just released a video for the song, Ndayarutsa, written, arranged and produced by Wataffi from who she said she drew inspiration.
“He is an inspiration to me. I enjoy working with other artistes and I am always flexible,” she said.
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She also worked with seasoned musician, Progress Chipfumo and the Sounds of the Motherland as a backing vocalist between 2011 and 2012 and, more recently, on the latter’s new album, Hold my Hand.
“It is always a good experience working with people like Progress.
“He is the one who showed me the ropes when I seriously started doing music as I got stage experience through performing with him,” she chuckled.
Of late, Wanai has been performing in various joints around the country and her star is on the rise.
She has also curtain-raised shows for Sungura kingpin Alick Macheso and Dendera maestro Sulumani Chimbetu.
Her favourite song on the new album Chirere Chigokurerawo is dedicated to her parents, while Ndayarutsa is an ode to her father, Maxwell Ndudzo.
The album was produced by Spencer Masango at Track Studios, while some of the tracks were written by Jazz artiste, Foreman Gavi.
Her recent single Mari has been receiving generous airplay.
