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, 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, a small Durban
township, 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 added.
The band can already celebrate successes with them 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 added, "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 between 12 noon and 16h00, which is free to the public.
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