Zimbabwe Awake

Josh Meck was born in 1983 in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. He developed an interest in the instrument that saw him playing in church at the age of 12. Soon after High school he started performing in Jazz clubs doing session work for Zimbabwean Jazz musicians. He is bass guitarist, acoustic guitarist, Mbira and Kora player. He has toured Europe, America and Africa doing collaborations with international artists. He started touring as a sideman in 2006 with different artists like Chiwoniso and comrade Fasto. He recorded his debut album entitled Wanetsa in 2008 with the hit song Wanetsa that topped the local charts in Zimbabwe. In 2010 he did collaboration with USA based saxophonist Max Wild at the Africa festival Held in Wurzburg Germany. He then went on to do collaboration tour of Germany, Estonia, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Czech Republic with Max Wild in 2011. In 2012 Josh released the album entitled TIME.

G56 is an afro-jazz / pop group consisting of Dzikamai Machingura and Farai Chieza, two friends who had the dream of becoming recording artists from their university days. It is from the name of the dorm they shared at the University of Zimbabwe, room 56 on the ground floor, that the name G56 comes from. With Farai on the acoustic guitar and Dzikamai playing flute and leading the vocals, the group’s music is a reflection of their backgrounds and delves into various social and cultural themes.

PRUDENCE KATOMENI-MBOFANA is a singer and a songwriter from a musical Christian background. Prudence’s passion for music stems from childhood. She began singing in public at the age of eight and throughout her primary and high school life she was involved in choirs. After completing her ‘A’ levels she joined a band called The Vice. She then joined Jazz Invitation, and stayed with them for a decade, touring with Tanga wekwaSando in the UK and South Africa. She toured with the band in Namibia after the release of their album ‘The Rehearsal Room’. Prudence also featured on the Cool Crooners’ album, ‘Isatilo’. They toured extensively together, going to countries in the French territory and to Namibia. She has also shared the stage with the legendary Miriam Makeba and Take Six. “Dzidza” is a song from her debut album with a message to the privileged youth that have access to education not to take education for granted.

Taku was known among the Shona people of Zimbabwe as a talented and well known player of the Mbira, (an African music instrument). He has been teaching the mbira to individuals, local schools and colleges and has held numerous workshops and performances in Zimbabwe, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Poland and Namibia. As the founder of the band called Tru Bantu, he recorded the album called Dzimwe Nguva that has sold both locally and internationally. He had been working with many well known Zimbabwean artists like Willom Tight, Chiwoniso, Alexio, Mafriq, Sebede, Sam & Selmor Mtukudzi, among others. Through his music and activities he often addressed social issues in Zimbabwe. He died on the 12th of October 2011.

DUDU MANHENGA is a singer and songwriter who leads the group ‘Color Blu’. Her style is influenced by great African and jazz singers, and the dignity of her delivery is a credit to herself and her country, wherever she goes. Her music has been accurately described as ‘an afro jazz adventure’ – a fusion of genres: afro, contemporary, Zimbabwe traditional, township, jazz, Latino, and a cultural cross-breed of Zimbabwe’s Manica, Mashona and Matabele rhythms and melodies, with energetic stage work, and sizzling vocals. Performing professionally since the age of 16, Dudu has emerged as a leader on the Zimbabwean music scene after long stints as backing vocalist for several top artists of Zimbabwe, while studying at the Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare. In 2001 she formed the group called Color Blu, along with her husband and partner drummer Blessing Muparutsa. They’ve recorded their debut album called ‘OUT OF THE BLU’ in 2003 which was followed in 2007 by ‘JULA’ – a Ndebele word meaning ‘depth’. Her third album, ‘TOWARDS ALIGNMENT’ (2009) was recorded in front of a live audience at Reps Theatre in Harare. Her most recent album ‘NGANGIWE’ was released in 2011. Dudu has performed at local clubs, corporate events and festivals in Zimbabwe often sharing the stage or actively collaborating with artists such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Dorothy Masuku, The Cool Crooners, Tanga Wekwa Sando (Zimbabwe); Judith Sephuma, Ray Phiri, Jimmy Dludlu, the late Jabu Khanyile, Ernie Smith, Ringo, Eric Paliani, Gang of Instrumentals, Kwani Experience, Mpumie Twala, Ndithini Mbali (South Africa); and Kunle Ayo.

Anderson Mamimine was born on 16th of March 1985 in Chinhoyi mining town of Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe. In 2003 he bought two keyboards and a guitar. He later sold one of his keyboards and guitar to Victor Kunonga who was a close friend and was showing great passion to learn how to play guitar. Less than a year later, Victor released his 1st album and that triggered Anderson’s professional Music Career. He started working with AY Band which was fronted by the late Samson Munyaradzi Mtukudzi (Sam Mtukudzi) who later died. On the 26thJuly 2011, his album called Hell on Earth was launched. It was later released on the 1st of June 2012 to the public.

Norman Masamba is a young man already considered among some of the greatest guitarists in Zimbabwe. His career begun at a very tender age and this has enabled him to perform and record with some of Zimbabwe’s well known musicians such as, Bob Nyabinde and Victor Kunonga. He is also a member of Victor Kunonga band (Peace) as a backing vocalist and guitarist. Lately he has collaborated with a well re-nouned South African Maskandi and Jazz guitarist, Bheki Khoza.

Filbert Marova is an experienced songwriter, musician and producer who brings a wealth of knowledge to any music project he puts his hands on. He has discovered his talent at the age of 11. His passion for music has evolved into a love for guitar and keyboard. His musical skill landed him a role with the Frontline Kids; one of Zimbabwe’s highly acclaimed music acts which dominated the Zimbabwe music scene from 1987 to 1991. As a founding member of Jazz Invitation, Filbert wrote and produced the formidable hit single “BP Yangu Yakwira”, sung by Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana off their “Rehearsal Room” album which was released in 2004. He released his debut album called “Kariba Bream” which brought together a number of different artists from various music backgrounds to ultimately earn him the coveted Zimbabwe Music Award of Best Jazz Album in 2006. Filbert wrote, composed, produced and arranged all the songs on this album. He has worked with a number of local and international artists, having played with Jazz greats such as Dorothy Masuku, Simangaliso Tutani, Cool Crooners and Jazz Invitation. He has also played with soul/funk artists, Chris Berry and his band Panjea. On the local front, he has shared the stage with the likes of Brian Paul, Willis Watafi, Bob Nyabinde, Outspoken, among others.