BY MOSES MUGUGUNYEKI
SUNGURA musician Tendai Dembo tomorrow honours his late father Leonard “Musorowenyoka” Dembo with the launch of a six-track album titled Dzinde at Eastpoint (formerly Jazz 105).
The legendary musician, born Kwangwari Gwaindepi, died at the age of 37 in 1996, when Tendai was seven years old.
In 2007, Tendai and his brother Morgan threw themselves into the fray, thanks to sungura musician Alick Macheso who took them through apprenticeship, and took over the Barura Express.
Six years down the line, Tendai has slowly fitted well into his late father’s shoes, which has endeared him with Barura music fans, who have “anointed” him successor to the throne.
Tendai told NewsDay Life & Style: “My father died on April 9 and releasing this album is a way of saying thank you to the man the family regarded as a fountain of advice.” The young musician will be supported by contemporary musician Carlos Green and Potiphar Mopo at the launch.
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He said although the album was inspired by love, it was also a reflection of life.
“Life is full of disappointments, but there are also moments of happiness. This is what my forthcoming album is talking about,” Tendai said.
“When I perform some of the songs from the forthcoming album during live shows, there is a lot of excitement among revellers. So I think it will do well. The song Rufu seems to have endeared well with fans whenever I play it.”
With his brother Morgan, they released an album titled Kutsika Matsimba in 2013, before they parted ways a year later. Tendai released his first solo project, Kupakwashe, in 2014 before releasing his second offering, Mushando, two years later.
“It’s high time I did what my father used to do. Fans should look forward to another album later this year,” he said.
“Apart from the launch of the album, we have so much in store with regard to celebrating the life of the great Leonard ‘Musorowenyoka’ Dembo. We will be showing documentaries and videos of some of his works.”