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Mtukudzi joined by son on UK tour
By Showbiz
Reporter
THE legendary superstar and grand pa of Afro pop, Oliver Mtukudzi is
set to tour the UK during the week ending 9 December 2005.
In the spirit of an “aging elephant” passing the torch to the upcoming generation endeared during his 53rd birthday bashes in Zimbabwe, Mtukudzi will be accompanied for the first time on an overseas tour by Samson Mtukudzi, his son, and the ever-green 8-piece backing group, The Black Spirits.
The tour has been dubbed The Tuku Family Affair.
Sam, as he is affectionately known to his high school friends, has under his belt a couple of performances with his Prince Edward Jazz Band at the Book café & Alliance Francais, and is credited with arranging the song Ninipa on his father’s last album, Nhava. He is expected to warm the stage for half an hour, with the remainder of the night belonging to Tuku.
Tuku, still fresh from a 6 week, 23 nation African tour, is expected to churn out some of the songs from his upcoming album set for release on a yet-do-be-announced-date. His last album Nhava, is still riding high on the chart scene with hits like Hazvirevi Rudo Handina and Chikonzero Chaita Musoro Uteme -- listen here (http://www.zimtownship.com/tukudec2005.mp3). Tukumusic, is unquestionably the biggest selling musical label in sub-Saharan Africa, and has a huge fan base both in and outside Zimbabwe.
To this day, it is a mystery why Mtukudzi -- with 48 original albums and over 300 songs (http://tukumusic.co.zw/discography.html) to his name -- has not held any solo shows in the UK for the past three or so years. He has constantly been paired with one or more artists from either South Africa or Zimbabwe
Speaking to New Zimbabwe.com Wednesday, Fungwa Mawarire, the executive director of Zimtownship said: “Zimtownship has had the privilege and honour to work with Mukoma Tuku & The Black Spirits for the past two or so years in the UK. After each tour, we have received numerous emails and feedback from people, and the biggest request has been to do an all night Tuku gig, and this is exactly what we are doing. The fans have spoken."
And indeed with such a large collection of songs to choose from, a night is not long enough for an artist of Mtukudzi's profile.
Tuku is expected to hypnotize his UK fans with yester year hits like Tozeza Baba, Rova Ngoma Mutawara, Ziwere, Todii and many others.
Meanwhile, Mtukudzi, 53, officially launched the massive Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton, 40 kilometres south east of the capital Harare during his birthday bash with a fitting performance both at the centre, and Harare throughout the weekend of September 23.
Mtukudzi was joined by his friends, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Jabu Khanyile, Judith Sephuma, Steve Dyer, Louis Mhlanga, Amon Mvula among others prominent stars. The centre, currently under construction, is used for grooming under-priviledged upcoming performing artists. When complete, it will consist of a recording studio, an amphi-theatre, a hall, an open air stage, a computer centre and a stone sculpture display room. It is in this spirit that Tuku comes this December to the UK to thank his fans for the support they have given him in pulling through the arts centre project.
Mtukudzi's first
show is on Friday 9 December 2005 at the Sanctuary
in Birmingham, the second is at London's Stratford Rex on Saturday
10 December. The third and final show is set for the Marlboro
Function Hall in Bradford on Sunday 11 December 2005.
For tour and advance tickets information please visit www.zimtownship.com
or call 07940030429; 07940241515
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