BY STYLE REPORTER
More than 20 local music groups will today take to the stage at Club Joy Centre at Machipisa shopping centre, Highfield, to celebrate the life of music promoter and businessman David Mudzudzu, who turned 46 on Friday.
The birthday bash, which will be headlined by Progress Chipfumo and Baba Harare, has become a popular gig on the joint’s entertainment calendar.
The galaxy of musicians who will take part at today’s music fiesta which kicks off at 2pm believe the Club Joy Centre owner – whom they refer to as Boss Mudzudzu —has “changed the way the music industry functions in the country”.
Chipfumo, Baba Harare, Peter Moyo, Somandla Ndebele, Allan and Tryson Chimbetu, Tendai Dembo, Josphat and Faheem Somanje, Mark Ngwazi, Nyasha Mugari, Potifa Mopo, Blessing, Tatenda Pinjisi, Paradzai Mesi, Wasu, Star Brite as well as Sasha will take turns to entertain the audience at the popular joint.
Known for bringing music to the grassroots through weekend open-air gigs at Club Joy Centre PaFio, Mudzudzu said there was no better way to celebrate life.
“Life is indeed a blessing and being on the other side of 40, I feel blessed with each passing year. My birthday celebrations at Club Joy Centre on Sunday [today] are indeed the cherry on top of what has been an exciting journey in life. I invite all music lovers and the Highfield community at large to come and celebrate with me,” Mudzudzu said.
Chipfumo, a regular entertainer at the joint, said there was nothing as good as celebrating the life of Boss Mudzudzu.
“Boss Mudzudzu has helped many musicians, especially upcoming artistes who have used the platform at Joy Centre as a launch pad to their careers,” Chipfumo said.
“You will realise that most people frequent that joint on a daily basis and that has done wonders for the young musicians who will be longing for recognition. He acquired a music kit which we use and rarely do we have such people in our society. Happy birthday, Boss Mudzudzu!”
Tryson Chimbetu, who is riding high with his latest offering Kana Mazogara, described Mudzudzu as a rare breed of music promoter.
“It’s quite phenomenal, we need more of these type of personnel in the music industry,” he said.
One of the few females performing today, Amadhuve Sasha, told Standard Style that Boss Mudzudzu was among a rare breed of promoters in the industry today.
“To me, he is more than a promoter, but a father and adviser. He helped me kickstart my career from nothing offering financial and moral support,” said Sasha.
“He has allowed me to perform at all his joints under the Club Joy Centre franchise and he had theboldness and fairness to give us female musicians a platform to perform at his Highfield club under the banner China Chemadzimai. There are very few like him.”
Dembo, who performed last night at the joint, described the promoter-cum-businessman as a blessing to the arts sector.
“I would like to thank Boss Mudzudzu and may his love and support for artistes continue to grow. I appeal to artistes to give him respect because he is one of the few music promoters with artistes at heart,” said Dembo.
The heir apparent to the Barura Music throne said he would do everything to support Club Joy Centre.
Two years ago Mudzudzu surprised many when he drove to Glendale to engage troubled sungura musician Paradzai Mesi.
“I wanted to give Paradzai a second chance because I knew he was talented. We agreed and he came and had his show at Club Joy Centre where he was supported by other musicians and from there, he relaunched his career,” he said.
Mesi last year launched his album at Club Joy Centre.
Apart from Mesi, Mudzudzu extended his helping hand to other sungura stars — Tedious Matsito and Josphat Somanje — who had fallen on hard times.
“I try to make the artistes known. For instance, Mark Ngwazi and Tendai Dembo are now popular and are holding shows of their own.
“I also give a lifeline to those who could be facing challenges, like we did for Tedious Matsito and Josphat Somanje,” he said.
Mudzudzu, who was born and bred in Mhondoro, said he owed his life and success to the support of his family, God the creator and all his peers, supporters and fans in the music industry who have always rallied behind him.