AWARD-winning afro jazz artiste, Victor Kunonga, rose to the occasion and thrilled his devoted Mutare fans who stayed on their toes till the wee hours of Saturday morning.
The Maidarirei and Mamurega hit-maker who was backed by his quartet-band, Peace, showed why he is highly recommended in the music business as he dazzled revellers with his well-polished vocals and attention-grabbing dance choreographies.
Although he performed to a small-crowd of slightly over 30 people, Kunonga justified the $10 cover charge and gave them value for money.
Many revellers were, however, turned away at the door after failing to pay the $10 cover charge, which is too much for someone like Kunonga’s show.
The versatile artiste started performing at 10pm taking fans down memory lane with his hit-track Maidarirei from his debut album in 2004.
The song definitely got the attention of the crowd and from there the night was young as people danced the night away.
Other songs played on the night were Usacheme, Mandirasa, Kure, Nzara, Uyo to mention a few.
From his latest fourth album Kwedu released in December last year, Kunonga played Kubuda Ura, Kure Kwatabva, Kushanda and Kwedu whose tapestry reveals his sharpness and mastery as an artiste who has now come off age since he entered the industry in 2004 as a novice.
His unique style of fusing chimurenga and contemporary mbira music is beyond doubt astounding, resonating straight to the heart, while his masterful guitar playing and charismatic stage presence leaves you begging for more.
Kunonga’s manager, Walter Wanyanya, said this year, apart from promoting the latest album, they were planning his ‘‘coming out tour’’ around the country and abroad.
“We now think Victor is ready to come out and that is why we organised this show. We will hold two more shows in Mutare and one of them will be the ‘‘people’s show’’ to cater for the average revellers who cannot afford our usual cover charge.
“This year will also see us tour Europe for the first time as we have lined up tours for Hungary, Norway, Germany and Italy, while regionally we also want to expand to Zanzibar and Kenya.
“In past years, we just toured Southern Africa, but it is time for the world to meet Victor Kunonga as he comes out,” said Wanyanya.
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| Kunonga ready to come out |
Although he performed to a small-crowd of slightly over 30 people, Kunonga justified the $10 cover charge and gave them value for money.
Many revellers were, however, turned away at the door after failing to pay the $10 cover charge, which is too much for someone like Kunonga’s show.
The versatile artiste started performing at 10pm taking fans down memory lane with his hit-track Maidarirei from his debut album in 2004.
The song definitely got the attention of the crowd and from there the night was young as people danced the night away.
Other songs played on the night were Usacheme, Mandirasa, Kure, Nzara, Uyo to mention a few.
From his latest fourth album Kwedu released in December last year, Kunonga played Kubuda Ura, Kure Kwatabva, Kushanda and Kwedu whose tapestry reveals his sharpness and mastery as an artiste who has now come off age since he entered the industry in 2004 as a novice.
His unique style of fusing chimurenga and contemporary mbira music is beyond doubt astounding, resonating straight to the heart, while his masterful guitar playing and charismatic stage presence leaves you begging for more.
Kunonga’s manager, Walter Wanyanya, said this year, apart from promoting the latest album, they were planning his ‘‘coming out tour’’ around the country and abroad.
“We now think Victor is ready to come out and that is why we organised this show. We will hold two more shows in Mutare and one of them will be the ‘‘people’s show’’ to cater for the average revellers who cannot afford our usual cover charge.
“This year will also see us tour Europe for the first time as we have lined up tours for Hungary, Norway, Germany and Italy, while regionally we also want to expand to Zanzibar and Kenya.
“In past years, we just toured Southern Africa, but it is time for the world to meet Victor Kunonga as he comes out,” said Wanyanya.
