Curtain comes down on HIFA
Filed Under Kitchen Curtain | Posted on May 3, 2008
As the curtain comes down on the prestigious festival, an intriguing line up of internationally acclaimed artistes has been put up, setting the tone for ending the festival in style this evening.
As if to serve the best for the last, Afro-pop icon Oliver Mtukudzi, acclaimed guitarist Louis Mhlanga, flautist and saxophonist Steve Dyer and Afro-pop diva Judith Sephuma will certainly thrill the crowds.
It was only fitting that one of the most powerful creative forces to emerge from Zimbabwe – Tuku – Sephuma, one musician who has crafted a truly South African yet globally accessible sound perform at a closing concert of a festival that has been undoubtedly successful. The presence of Tuku’s longstanding colleague Steve Dyer and Louis Mhlanga will certainly make a difference tonight.
This is not the first time that award-winning musicians share the stage after a performing together at the 2006 Victoria Falls Jazz Festival.
“It is rare to get such a wealthy line up of artistes at a single concert and I am looking forward to it. This year’s HIFA has been great and we hope that it will continue to improve,†said Richard Chikamure of Harare.
Tuku performed in the United Kingdom in March and at the recently held Cape Town Jazz Festival.
Louis Mhlanga is a highly accomplished musician. Though he is a guitar player by profession, he loves all instruments, from the traditional to the modern.
He works with a diverse range of musicians from all over the world. He does not limit himself to any particular style of music and is open to various musical influences: “My music is just an expression of my experiences and the connection I have with day-to-day events. It is also about the happiness I feel when I’m able to reach other souls through my music.â€
But before the four take to the stage, energetic dance queen Sandra Ndebele in what has been dubbed “The show that contains nudity†at the African Banking Corporation Global Stage this afternoon.
The famed singer and dance will lead her all-female group in a show that aims to revitalise and preserve threatened cultural traditions and empower young women through culture.
Sandy, as she is affectionately known, is presently based in Harare.
Lovingly called Tuku, the best-selling artist in Zimbabwe, always has his own way of thrilling and inspiring the audience and the closing audience seems an ideal stage to repeat that.
He began recording in the mid-1970s as a member of Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo. After Wagon Wheels rolled to fame in Southern Africa, Tuku formed Black Spirits, the band that has backed him throughout his career.
“Mtukudzi is more of a soul man, delivering the goods with a distinct gospel/R&B air. Like a laid-back Teddy Pendergrass, Mtukudzi exhorts gently, and when you slow down, you get down with this super-melodic set. Tuku Music is a much overdue introduction to one of the giants of African pop.â€
Tuku’s career has spanned over 31 years and he has composed over 46 original albums, nearly all of them best sellers. But it is his dedication to the live music scene in Zimbabwe – continually playing to enthusiastic audiences in even the remotest parts of the country – that has earned him the place in people’s hearts that he holds today. In the past six years, his popularity has risen extensively in the Southern African region and together with his band The Black Spirits, he regularly ventures across borders into South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.
French born performer Pascal Danae will also allow Zimbabwean audiences to experience his music at its most intimate and reflective.
He has performed with many celebrated artists including Gilberto Gil, Peter Gabriel, Youssu’n’Dour, Neneh Cherry, Morcheeba, Manu Katche and Ayo, as well as co-written songs with Richard Bona.
Great Escape, a new Zimbabwean play by Andrew Whaley, will also premiere this afternoon. The play was directed by Walter Muparutsa and featuring Michael Kudakwashe and Mandla Moyo.
Bulawayo Imbube ensemble put up a fine show on Wednesday afternoon during one of the HIFA shows.
HIFA founder and artistic director Manuel Bagorro hailed the group after the well-attended show at the African Banking Corporation Global Stage.
Tags: 1970s, afro pop, amp, audience, banking corporation, borders, creative forces, curta, curtain, dance queen, diva, energetic dance, famed singer, flautist, global stage, grass, hifa, jazz festival, judith sephuma, musical influences, oliver mtukudzi, pop diva, pop icon, prestigious festival, sandra ndebele, six years, spirits, steve dyer, tradition, tuku, victoria fallsRelated posts
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