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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
South Africa’s king of jazz Hugh Masekela will dedicate his latest production to late mbira musician Chiwoniso Maraire’s father – Abraham Dumisani Maraire.

The production for the mbira pioneer is a collaboration with afro Jazz musician Victor Kunonga and Shai Shai – an all female Mbira group.

Abraham, who died in 1999 from a heart attack, was a master at playing the nyunga nyunga – a form of mbira as well as the Zimbabwean marimba.

“Bra Hugh has always wanted to dedicate a Mbira album to Dumi Maraire who he’s always admired. When he saw me perform songs off my album Kwedu, he was impressed by the sound which he described as a unique Zimbabwean sound,” Kunonga said.

He said Bra Hugh identified him for the collaboration after he saw him perform in Harare at a show dubbed Ngoma Nehosho.

The Maidarirei hit-maker, who started his music career in 2004, said after 11 years in the industry, he had developed a sound that was identifiable which he calls Victor Kunonga music.

“I like the fact that people can’t pin down my music to a certain genre, but they can recognise my sound. This has come about after years of carving out a unique sound that’s exclusive to me,” said Kunonga.

The afro jazz musician, who turned 40 recently, has matured over the years.

“There’s no greater feeling than turning 40 years because with age there comes wisdom and maturity.

“I feel blessed that I’ve lived this long and not encountered any major threats to my life, considering that people are dying every day and at a very young age. I’ve developed a brand that everyone in the country can appreciate,” he said.

Kunonga, who performed in the city last Saturday, said he would be staging more shows outside Harare together with his group Peace Band.

He has four albums to his name; Such is Life (2004), Uyo (2006), Handinete (2010) and Kwedu (2015).