The event’s name was then changed to Jenaguru and thrived for a number of more years in the new millennium, before fizzling out.
Probably, the brightest colour on a rainbow of memories of the entertainment extravaganza was when Simon Chimbetu’s car was literally lifted by his fans at an edition that took place during his peak years when he did the album Lullaby.
Many other memories fill the history of this musically important day and all the local music greats like Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Nicholas Zakaria, Andy Brown and Stella Chiweshe will narrate their cherished experiences of the day.
At a time when young generations thought they would encounter the day in music memoirs, the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians (ZUM) has decided to revive the event this year.
This year’s Zimbabwe National Musicians’ Day will be held in conjunction with the International Music Day Celebrations on October 1 and 2 at Gwanzura Stadium.
“The event will start at 10am on Saturday, October 1 and end the following morning at 10am, with an international character and flavour,” said the ZUM national organising secretary, Robson Nyanzira.
Nyanzira said the event which is usually dominated by Zimbabwe’s popular and up and coming artistes, will this year be graced by international and regional musicians.
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He said the music battle of such a diversity of music bands would dish out various genres.
“We intend to feature big popular foreign artistes and top local musicians as a cultural exchange programme at this event,” said Nyanzira.
He said the main objective and focus of the Zimbabwe National Musicians Day and International Music Day was to expose, mix and market amateur, up and coming, semi professionals and top musicians.
Nyanzira said that ZUM also intended to raise funds for musicians’ trust funds to develop, educate, promote and sponsor musicians.
“There will also be a benevolent fund that will assist musicians in need during illness, old age, burial and the deceased’s family, and also during times of misfortunes,” he said.
He said the main theme in this year’s celebrations was “Anti Piracy and HIV/ Aids Awareness — Progress and Unity Through Music”.
“The effort is to encourage cultural dialogue among Zimbabweans, the appreciation of diversity and foster a cultural peace and progress in the country, among the various and varied benefits,” said Nyanzira.
“We are organising this event in conjunction with the Culture Fund Trust Zimbabwe, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Media Information and Publicity, Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, among others,” he said.
