Vocalist and percussionist, Princess Dube, vocalist and
rhythmic guitarist, Morgan Mchunu, vocalist and lead guitarist, Manuel Masinga,
bass guitarist, Magiza Shange and drummer, Thabani Luthuli all form a central
part of Durban based Afro Jazz band, Zisamo.
Zisamo is translated from Xhosa, meaning “bring some more”.
The band members stem from bordering countries South Africa, Mozambique and
Zimbabwe, and have come together to collaborate their musical talents and bring
African people together through their music.
The band was formed in 2013 in Clermont outside Durban with
only three members, Morgan, Thabani and Princess who would meet at a local
kiosk, writing, practising and planning performances due to limited rehearsal
space. A short while after the band was formed, they were soon joined by the
other two members, Manuel and Magiza. "Getting gigs was tough but we stuck
together through the hard times because of our shared vision," they explain.
The band can already celebrate successes with having won the
best Afro Jazz category at the uShaka Marine World's Search for the Stars 2013,
and have since performed at various places in and around Durban.
Zisamo describes their genre as versatile, ranging from
Latino, Brazilian jazz, Spanish, Blues, Afro soul, Afro pop, Afro jazz and also
Mbira music. The band adds: "We don't stick to any particular genre of
music as we would like to perform to a wider audience and continue to try and
unite our continent.
Catch Zisamo at Wahooz on the uShaka Marine World promenade
every Sunday from 12h00 until 16h00. Entrance is free.
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