Master Pablo pays tribute to Ngulube

Standard Style
Renowned guitarist and music lecturer Pablo Nakapa has released a six-track album titled Nothing But Jazz, which he has dedicated to the late jazz maestro Dumi Ngulube.
Pablo Nakapa

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

Renowned guitarist and music lecturer Pablo Nakapa has released a six-track album titled Nothing But Jazz, which he has dedicated to the late jazz maestro Dumi Ngulube.

Nakapa (46), affectionately known as Master Pablo, described the new album as a tribute to the late Amagents boss, who was his mentor when he joined the music fraternity.

“I went to the College of Music where I met the late Dumi Ngulube, who became my mentor. I joined a band called Uya Moya where he was a drummer. The band comprised of greats like Chirikure Chirikure and Ray Mawerera, among others,” Nakapa told Standard Style.

“When Dumi left to start Amagents, I followed and joined him and that’s when I learnt a lot from him. He mentored great jazz artistes like Dudu Manhenga, Claire Nyakudyara and Faith Ganyau, among many others.”

The album was recorded at the College of Music in Harare.

Ngulube died in September 2010 at Howard Mission Hospital after a short illness.

He was 41.

Nakapa, who replaced the late bassist Munya Nyemba at popular reggae outfit Transit Crew, said his debut album is a gift to the late Ngulube who contributed immensely to the growth of jazz music in Zimbabwe and beyond.

“As a thank you to Dumi for grooming us, we got into the studio to do a jazz album in his honour. I have always been a jazz musician playing at festivals both locally and internationally. I brought my friends along with me on the acoustic guitar and this is a refreshing album,” he said.

After leaving Ngulube in 2002, Nakapa joined Afrika Revenge as a bassist before crossing the floor to join the Frontline Crew. He also worked with Rute Mbangwa, among other great jazz musicians.

“In 2009, I formed my own band Pablo and Friends, a group of youngsters who were instrument players. The purpose of the band was to push instrument players to be known because the band set-up allows only the singer to be popular and leave out instrument players,” he said.

“With this outfit, we went on to back other well-known artistes like Kudzai Sevenzo, Mbare Trio and even worked with Winky D for four years as a backing band. I am currently working with Transit Crew as a bassist, but naturally, I am into jazz.”