BY WINSTONE ANTONIO POPULARLY known as Uncle in Showbiz, award-winning art promotion company, Divine Assignments has once again thrown a lifeline to the country’s untapped music talent by resurrecting the popular weekly Jam Session.
After a three-year sabbatical, Jam Session commonly known as KaMonday Kanenge Friday made a return a fortnight ago at its ceremonial home, City Sports Bar in Harare.
Hosted every Monday, the Jam Session, can be credited for reviving careers of many “forgotten” and “struggling” artistes across genres.
Before it was called off, the weekly Jam Session had become popular on the showbiz scene, with music enthusiasts gracing the event that also provided emerging talents with a platform to hone and showcase their skills on stage.
The collapse of Jam Session appeared to have further stifled rising musicians who are on record saying that they are overlooked by arts promoters ahead of seasoned and crowd puller musicians.
The music industry has always been considered not to be rosy for up-and-coming artistes, because they perpetually struggle to get the much-needed exposure that comes with performing at live concerts, and sharing the stage with seasoned performers.
Apart from the performing artistes, the event had become a “perfect” rendezvous for arts enthusiasts, promoters and stakeholders in the creative sector, according them the opportunity to spot talent.
Divine Assignments founder Biggie Chinoperekwei yesterday told NewsDay Life & Style that their long-term vision was to provide arts development platforms for entertainers.
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“Jam Session is a programme for every musician that gives them a platform to share ideas and exchange notes on various issues, among them those that affect the industry. We also have space for those considered popular or forgotten,” Chinoperekwei noted.
“As Divine Assignments, we want to create that opportunity for artistes across genres to showcase their talent. We are committed to promoting arts in the country so we will create those platforms for our artistes in friendly environments.”
For tonight’s third edition, veteran singer Progress Chipfumo and Sound Of The Motherland headline the star-studded line up of performers that include sungura singer Tendai Ngwazi, Maison, Kurai Makore and Talking Guitars.
City Sports Bar marketing and entertainment manager Hapaguti “Hapaz” Mapimhidze said: “We have a lot of untapped talent in Zimbabwe, but the issue is for one to get the platform to showcase it and as Divine Assignments, we have returned Jam Session to bridge that gap by offering such artistes the opportunity to shine at the Jam Session every Monday.”
The usual host, Flame Ndombele and MC Khedah will be running the business.
An array of artistes, including Hosiah Chipanga, Pauline Gunduza, Tererai Mugwadi, Edith weUtonga, Kireni Zulu, Ammie Jamanda, Biggie Tembo, Diana Samkange, Allan Chimbetu, Peter Moyo, Tendai Chimombe, Taso, Ammara Brown, gifted visually-impaired street musician-cum-guitarist Daniel Gonora and his Gonora Sounds band have performed at the Jam Session.
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