Mtukudzi shows his clout
By Dakarai Mashava
HARARE – Music superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi shared the stage with Victor Kunonga and Bryan Kadengu at the 7 Arts Theatre on Friday and demonstrated once more that his crowd-pulling abilities are not on the wane.
Despite playing with a pared-down band, Tuku and his talented partners on the night still managed to fill up the Avondale-based venue.
The concert, that was promoted by Walter Wanyanya’s Ngoma Nehosho, was a rare success amidst the concert flops that have become commonplace on the local music scene.
When the Bvuma singer came on stage, the atmosphere in the venue became electric. Some fans who were largely seated during Kunonga and Kadengu’s performances suddenly stood up, animatedly cheering on as the music legend delivered a play list made up of old and new songs.
Backed by Sam Mataure on drums, bassist Enoch Piroro and keyboardist Munyaradzi Vhiya, Tuku was a delight to watch and the bumper crowd never stopped singing along throughout his performance.
It was indeed a sterling presentation by Samanyanga that reminded many that his glory days are far from over.
Though Tuku was the undoubted star of the show, the big crowd presented a perfect platform for Kunonga to showcase his immense talent.
The Wedza-born artiste grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Kunonga and the Peace Band blew the crowd away with scintillating guitar work and breath-taking choreography particularly on the enchanting track ‘Kubuda Ura,’ off his latest 12-track album ‘Kwedu’.
His play list was gleaned from his four albums- Kwedu (2015), Handinete (2011), Uyo (2006) and Such Is Life-Ndanyengetedzwa (2003). Kunonga’s enthralling performance, which was underpinned by Norman Masamba’s intricate guitar work, made it easy to understand why Tuku and South African music legend Hugh Masekela have selected him as the producer of their forthcoming joint album to be released next year.
Kadengu, the 2012 StarBrite winner, who recently represented Zimbabwe along with Mokoomba at the Malawi Lake of Stars Festival, showed on the night that he has what it takes to be a future star.
Even though the crowd was unfamiliar with his songs, this did not deter Kadengu from making the most of the rare chance of sharing the stage with the celebrated Tuku and Kunonga. Daily News
