Jazz Music In Zimabwe

Jazz Music in Zimbabwe

There are many Jazz musicians in Zimbabwe, who offer different styles and arrangements. Personally i am an avid Afro Jazz fan be it Zimbabwean, South African, Kenyan....all of it. Jazz soothes me.

This genre operates mostly as a niche', many know it but a few make time for it because it is regarded as rich man's music (true to a greater extent) however that is wrong. Jazz is for everyone.. Personally am a bug/huge fan of it but am not financially sound. In Zimbabwe it is quite difficult for an average person to attend the shows as they are structured in a way that a person who depends on public transport will find it hard to travel safely back home after the show. The price is fair but the locations and time of the shows is to the benefit of those who own cars.

As a music Jazz is soothing and refreshing, its easy on the ear and induces the side to side kind of dance. It is classy and elegant in its nature,a factor that makes many perceive it as not for them. Afro jazz encompasses African instruments such as the drum, tango, and other various percussions. 

Though this music is not as popular in Zim as Dancehall and Sungura it however has a respectable following and seems satisfied with that market share. The smallness in size helps it maintain the elegance, class and intimacy that the shows always provide.

Afro Jazz Musicians in Zimbabwe include:

• Victor Kunonga: his music is 100% African Jazz, the instruments and bass lines resemble African sounds, his music is cool and refreshing whilst full of meaning. He has four albums to date :Such is life (2004), Uyo (2006), Handinete (2010) and his recent album Kwedu (2014). Widely regarded as the best Jazz musician in Zimbabwe. For more info visit:  Victor Kunonga Website   

• Prudence Katomeni Mbofana: Widely regarded and the queen of Zim Jazz, she possess an enchanting voice that has enchanted many Jazz lovers all over the nation. Her vocals on the hit classic song BP were just perfect. That song earned her the name Queen of Zim Jazz on its own. Prudence was also profiled on BBC Africa and described as Zimbabwe’s new Jazz Queen. She also collaborated with Tatenda Seth Mahachi on a hit gospel song  Ndivhumbamirei. For more information visit her website pkmbofana.net

• Jazz Invitation: This is a  Zimbabwean band that focuses on a wide area of jazz. They perform both afro-jazz and jazz blues. their sound is a mixture of both these major categories of jazz. their most known song; BP ft Prudence Katomeni Mbofana shows their versatility and cocktail of afro and jazz bluez. This group has been quiet for some time (they have never been loud r more known) but they keep jazzing their way into people hearts wherever they perform.

• Kudzai Sevenzo: She possesses a powerful and beautiful voice. Her song I don't Know why was an instant classic and its one of those songs that keep inspiring every time one listens to it. Her music is uplifting and some may even say its Gospel music but regardless of what people call it, the music is powerful and blesses everyone who takes time to listen. For more info visit her website kudzaisevenzo.com

• Dudu Mnahenga: Hails from the City of Kings & Queens Bulawayo. This Lady undoubtedly the most known Female Jazz Musician in Zimbabwe. Some sections say she is the best Jazz artiste in Zimbabwe. However she is not in good books with many Zimbabweans as she publicly stated that her music is for the rich only, due to this many people don't even make time to listen to her beautiful songs or her elegant performances. She does most of her performances outside Zim and this may be the cause. She has won hearts of Jazz fans worldwide and keeps raising the Zim Flag high wherever she performs. Despite the controversy that seems to always surround her, she is an amazing artist. She has five albums to her name, the latest one is called 'For You', Some of the classic timeless hits she made are Bengimthandile, Zvapresser Dudu songs on Reverbnation . For more info visit her website dudumanhenga.com

• Tariro NeGitare: She is new on  the scene, her music has a modern feel to it, her music is soulful and appeals to a wider demographic scope than all the others mentioned before. She is adored by the young and old. Her music sometimes leans towards the soul category but always she maintains a jazz touch to her sounds. Her hit song Wildfire introduced her into the music circles and solidified her position as the future of jazz music in Zim. She sings mostly about love and relationship issues and is always smiling showing the liveliness of her music. For more info visit tarironegitare.com
  

• Alexio Kawara: The future of Zim Jazz rest on the shoulders of this man. He started his career singing RnB in the Urban Grooves Movement  in the early 2000's, his collaboration with Tererai Mugwadi on the song Tinodanana is amongst the best collaborations in Zim music and the song was voted song of the year.  After that came what is arguably his biggest hit Shaina the song cemented him as the future of Zim music and was also voted song of the year. He then left RnB ventured into jazz.He sings mostly about Love and society issues. His latest album Tose showcased his talent with hit songs such as Chihwande-hwande, Newe, Chinyanye, Save.  For more info visit : alexiokawara.com

• Afrik Revenge: the group composes of  brothers Willis Watafi & Mehluli Mozo (Tazz). They call their music Qaya music, their band manager Kuda Humba decribed it as :  'Qaya music is a mixture of everything that is music. It's everything we grew up listening to. It's African music. The group has 3 albums to date: Sikelela (2000), Sibe Munye (2002) Qaya Musik (2004). The album Qaya Musik is their most successful album, i sold over 10000 copies and scooped best album, best jazz album, best song  Wanga The album to this date is regarded amongst the best albums ever made in Zimbabwe. The album led to filled concerts, sold out shows and wild screaming fans. They broke up 3 yrs later breaking hearts of many Zimbabweans (Me included). In 2014 the musicians resolved their differences and now everyone is looking forward to some Qaya Musik to rock us like Wanga did for more than 7 yrs. An in depth interview on Afrika Revenge >  Afrika Revenge Interview. 

Other Zim Jazz Artist Include:

• Ruth Mbangwa 
• Bob Nyabinde, visit website bobnyabinde.com
• Cool Crooners
• Tanga WekwaSando

Visit Proud Zimbo for timely updates on Facebook