My love affair with Jazz
It was my 25th birthday. We were in Jazz 105 and Jabavu Drive was crooning on stage. A few patrons sashayed on the dance floor; some like us were seated, satiating hunger pangs. Regis and I were having a chicken and chips dinner, normal pub food. We were not there for the cuisine but for the live music, the ambience, the jazzy sounds. Many more milled around the back, drinking, chatting or merely absorbing the music.
For that is jazz. Not only do you listen to it, you feel it. It soaks into your pores. You feel the guitar strings tingling on your bare skin. The saxophone sweeps through your soul, the trombone and trumpet call out, grabbing your attention. The lead singer serenades and invites you in; backing vocalists’ harmonies immerse you into this enchanting ensemble. The drums, the heartbeat of the arrangement reverberate in the background until the tempo is upped and it’s time to dance. But til then tambourines and hoshos shush you into a musical trance.
We were young and free and good looking — no potbellies, no side handles. No bloating nor bald heads. I had a job as a program officer and Regis had two good jobs. I was in my blue-black skinny jeans, long black boots with a heel, and a purple cardigan. Red braids hung on my shoulders and framed my face. Regis wore blue jeans, with either one of his two favorite shirts, the purple and white striped one or the blue and black striped one.
As I wiped my hands on the serviette after eating, Aaron Yafele, started playing the unmistakable ‘Happy Birthday’ on his trombone. I smiled at Regis and said, ‘Oh, it’s like they know.’ He laughed uneasily and said nothing. I didn’t think much of it — I can be slow sometimes. The rest of the instruments joined the trombone to produce a very jazzy Happy Birthday. And when they were done, Phillip Svosve, made a demure announcement, ‘Happy Birthday Godess.’
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I silently screamed, exhilarated. Outwardly, I had a stupid grin plastered on my face. Phillip Svosve, the acclaimed saxophonist came down the stage and shook my hand! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Regis had orchestrated it! It was a planned thing!
Ladies and gentlemen. That is how you knock a girl off her feet! In December that year, Regis’ uncles and Bra Thanks the munyai, brought the cows home! Everyone who knows me, knew I never wanted to get married but because of jazz, ‘ndakakandwa pakitchen!!!’ as they say in anti-feminist language.
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The slow death of jazz shows
But frankly, jazz, in particular Afro-jazz has been woven intricately in my life since the days of The Mannenberg and The Book Cafe. When the Mannenberg closed down we didn’t see it then, but it was the beginning of the slow death of jazz concerts. Jazz 105, then a permanent feature on Second Street opposite Eastgate followed suit and shut its doors. The Book Cafe moved to Samora Machel, fighting to survive before finally folding in.
But it is at the old Book Cafe on Five Ave, that we had the privilege of watching one of Chiwoniso Maraire’s best performances. She’d been late and the crowd was getting anxious.
Then she marched in.
It’s not by chance that I used the word ‘march’ because that’s what it was, a march, like a soldier going to war, tiger eye and all. There was no doubt the woman was as high as a soaring eagle. It took her a minute to get into her groove but when she got in, she took us with her, transporting us to the ancestral realm and by the time she finished , we were high up in the clouds with her.
Such is the power of not only jazz, but music. But it’s an “Ode to Jazz” day so I’ll keep it a neat Afro-jazz.
Dudu Manhenga at her prime could move mountains with her powerhouse performances. With Dudu, it’s always an experience; from her costume, her turban, her commanding voice, her Colour Blu band; you are left breathless. Her stage presence is incredible. I recall one show at the Rain Tree in Umwinsidale, on a dandy picnic-weather afternoon, Dudu and her band were not just The Colour Blu, they were a kaleidoscope of colours painted by beautiful music. Then the Mbare Trio and LadySmith Black Mambazo performed. Ah. It was a murmuration of jazzy musical notes like no other.
I’ve had the privilege of watching Prudence Katomeni Mbofana live, Rute Mbangwa, Edith weUtonga, Hope Masike, Selma Mtukudzi, Victor Kunonga, Alexio Kawara, Mbeu, Bob Nyabinde, Steve Makoni, the Rusike Brothers, Tariro neGitare, the Cool Crooners, Mokoomba (more Afro-pop), Mwenje Mathole, Mbare Jazz, Feli Nandi and of course the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi.
Some of my favourite jazz albums by Zimbabwean artists include;
Prudence by Prudence Katomeni Mbofana and The Jazz Invitation (favourite songs Anenge and Mandenga — a feminist song featuring Filbert Marova — an amazing producer and instrumentalist), Hope Masike’s Mbira Love and Chocolate, Chiwoniso Maraire’s Rebel Woman and Ancient Voices, G56’s Mhoroi (a fantastic album produced by prolific producer and guitarist Mono Mukundu), Victor Kunonga’s Such Is Life and Handinete as well as Oliver Mtukudzi (all albums— why he’s a legend.)
Sadly, jazz performances are now mostly reduced to private events, small liquor joints and restaurants.
Has Afro-jazz in Zimbabwe failed to stand the test of time? Is it losing its appeal? Is it now only for the mature ear? Whatever the answers to these questions, I’m glad there are organisations and individuals dedicated to keep jazz alive.
The Winter Jazz festival disappeared off the social scene for years but Alliance Francaise, the Swiss Embassy, the Italian Embassy and the European delegation to Zimbabwe have sponsoring the Winter Jazz Festivals in recent years.
The Zimbabwe German Society has for a long time hosting various jazz concerts. Jazz 105 the promoter has been putting together jazz shows like the recent Mhofu concert at 7 Arts where artists of the Mhofu totem performed.
I’m not sure if the totem concept was well thought out as the venue was less than half full but I enjoyed every minute of it.
Jazzing on…
On my wish list of jazz live performances are, Silent Nqo, The Travellers Band, Mary Anibal, Vuyo Brown, and Jazz Prosper among others. These are young but talented artists, giving me hope that not only is jazz here to stay, it is in solid hands.
Many young players are inspired by legends like Don Gumbo, former Ilanga front man and bassist, Busi Ncube also of Ilanga, Tanga wekwaSando, township jazz pioneer, Louis Mhlanga acclaimed lead guitarist of the Mai Chisamba Show theme song fame, Dorothy Masuka, the original singer of Pata Pata, popularised by Miriam Makeba, acoustic guitarist and songwriter Jeys Marabini, Steve Makoni of the original Handiende and Steve Chikoti of the Ngoma Yerusununguko— a Shona rendition of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.
A mere mention of these great names warms my heart and lifts my spirits. What a beautiful jazz journey we have travelled and what unshakeable musical legacies these artists have created!
When I finally get my husband to agree to do the European tradition of renewing our vows, hopefully on our 15th wedding anniversary in two years time, be assured there will be a jazz band serenading all!
*Godess is a published fiction writer and feminist development practitioner based in Zimbabwe.
