Zimbabwe: Gospel Jazz Show - First of Its Kind

Zimbabwe: Gospel Jazz Show - First of Its Kind

The Herald (Harare)

March 2, 2007
Posted to the web March 2, 2007

Harare

HARARE will today be rocked by a gospel jazz show, the first of its kind, which will include some of the most prolific recorders in the music genre.

Dubbed "All Aboard The Gospel Jazz Train", the show is a first of its kind to focus on a sub-genre, dealing with the jazzy side of gospel, rather than the norm of clustering gospel under one wide roof.

We hope to make this an annual show and jazz lovers who cannot frequent night spots for their own religious principles can still get to enjoy jazz in an environment they are familiar with," said show co-ordinator, Pardon Mutsago.

The show, which will be held tonight at the New Life Covenant Centre, will feature Clive "Mono" Mkundu, prolific mariachi for Oliver Mtukudzi and a gospel legend in the making, Divas Mercy Mutsvene and Carol Wutawunashe, known for their inimitable voices in the industry and Pardon Mutsago.

Fresh from releasing a gem of an album entitled Delayed is Not Denied, Pardon is riding a crest of creating a new world order, sending gospel music to previously uncharted territory.

Pardon has begun carving a niche that may see him cruise past many established artistes in the genre as he uses his power of mature jazz listening.

What remains to be seen is how these artistes will manage to maintain the sacred aura of jazz in their music on an evening of live evening listening, as it may be easy to record music than relive the jazz aspect given the challenge of live listening.

Yet with a touch as sparkling and spotlessly magical as that of Clive "Mono" Mkundu, a master on the live arena, there is doubtlessly little that may ever go wrong.

"We plan to make this a show for everyone, including the little ones as the environment is conducive for everyone. It is not exclusively religious too as it seeks to unite the family on sacred turf so rather than being a "praise and worship" run of the mill show, it will be about bringing the celebration of the life of Christ in song. Nota name and shame exclusive show with denominational attachment," said Pardon.

Yet the New Life Covenant Centre is well known for being a place of first class shows with a gospel flavour.

It has played host to reggae gospel shows, with the most notable and refreshing show being held by the late great Culture T, at the occasion of the launch of his album, Tendai.

"We plan to maintain that aura of professionalism, also giving people the understanding that gospel music is not a boring straightjacket genre with monotonous sound, but that it can be expressed in reggae, rock, acapella, jazz and the like. On this particular night however, this will be the gospel jazz festival of sorts," assured Pardon.

Although the noble idea of a mature sub-genre and show in gospel has been delayed, it certainly has not been denied and Friday will see a convention between Christ and many a jazz strumming mariachi of Zimbabwe.