LOCAL jazz musician Majahawodwa Ndlovu, aka Jeys Marabini, says he is dedicating part of his time between now and December in helping up-and-coming jazz artistes horn their musical skills free of charge, in attempts to preserve the genre facing stiff competition from sungara, house and hip-hop music.
LUYANDUHLOBO MAKWATI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Jeys told Southern Eye Lifestyle that he would teach the green-horns in music how to compose jazz songs, and play instruments. He said the move will be aimed at developing up and coming artistes interested in playing jazz music.
“The main objective is that we want to protect our genre of music because we have realised that most young artistes have diverted to house music, among other genres.
“I decided to take this up as one of the few jazz musicians. I think my efforts will go a long way in preserving our genre. I will conduct a talent search for up and coming artistes,” he said.
Jeys added that jazz music had become rare in the country with only few musicians playing it, adding that most of the artistes playing jazz were ageing. He fears jazz as a genré would be compromised. “What people must understand is that we are very few in this genré. We are only a handful and I am trying by all means to help up and coming artistes to venture into our genre of music,” he said.
Jeys also noted that in other genrés a lot of up and coming artistes were being roped in and trained. He cited sungura music as one genre that had continued to survive.
“If you look at sungura you will see the likes of Sulumani Chimbetu and Peter Moyo the son of my late friend Tongai Moyo,” he said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Jeys’ career dates back to 1990 when he was singing imbube. Over the years he has grown to be a force to reckon with in the country and outside with seven albums under his belt.
