Six years after his death in a car accident, jazz crooner Samson “Sam” Mtukudzi’s star continues to shine on as his third album titled, Misiirwa, is set for release at a tribute concert at Pakare Paye Arts Centre on Friday.
By Kennedy Nyavaya
Sam, whose promising career was still at its infancy, had two albums, Rume Rimwe and Cheziya, which were masterpieces in their own right and the new offering will be his third.
In an interview with The Standard Style, one of the concert’s organisers, Josh Hozheri said apart from celebrating the life of Sam, the concert was also a platform to share the album he was working on at the time tragedy struck.
“Sam was a talented musician who could have been a big star by now so we decided to organise the concert to celebrate his life,” Hozheri said.
“Before his death, he had done some recordings which his father [Oliver Mtukudzi] had been finishing up over time, so the show will coincide with the release of his third album.”
Hozheri recalled the days at the now defunct Jazz 105 Club, 14 years ago where he started working with Sam and the Prince Edward School Jazz band.
“I worked with Sam when he was still a student as they would come to play at the Winter Jazz Festival along with a schoolboy band and he was an amazing upcoming artist,” he added, while pledging support for the event to celebrate Sam.
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Having been born into a musically-rich family and carving his niche under his iconic father’s watch, Sam had already started to show traits of a powerful artist who had all it takes to carry on the “Tuku” legacy.
He would have done so in style as well since his sound carried a contemporary touch, which transcends that of the usual Afro-jazz feel.
A star-studded line-up, including Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah is slated to perform at the concert. Upcoming artist Sam Dondo also promised a well-polished act on the night. “Sam inspired me. Although I never got the chance to meet him in person, his music really connected me to him because he was outstanding so I promise a great performance,” said Dondo.
In his short music career after high school, Sam had managed to put up a formidable band, which managed to stage well-orchestrated performances at festivals and events across the country.
Sam died on March 15 2010 in a road accident along the Bulawayo-Harare highway.
