THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
. . . ZIM MOURNS JAZZ LEGEND RUSIKE
GLOWING tributes are pouring in after the death of jazz legend and music producer, Kelly Rusike.
The former Rusike Brothers member and Jazz Invitation founder, lost his battle against diabetes on Wednesday night. He was 59.
Kelly is survived by his daughter Courtney (27) and son Cole (21).
Mourners are gathered at No. 4 Umguza Road, Cranborne, Harare
His elder brother, Abel Rusike, described the bass guitarist’s death as a huge loss to the music industry.
“My brother died last night (Wednesday) at 9pm at his Cranborne home.
“He was a diabetic patient for years but he was really managing his condition well at home.
“Kelly died aged 59 and he was part of the Rusike Brothers, which was made up of the Rusike siblings.”
He added: “He was a jovial character who loved his music and job as an artist.
“Prior to his death, he was billed to perform in Zambia this Thursday (yesterday) despite his condition.
“He was really a fighter who was determined to fight on despite his condition, which got worse last Wednesday.
“Kelly really loved his family and music, which he started at a tender age.”
Abel believes his brother qualifies to be called a legend.
“We were the first group to embark on a tour of England in the 1980s after the Bhundu Boys when we were still young.
“Our father is the one who brokered the deal since he used to manage us as a group.
“Later, Kelly left the group to form Jazz Invitation, with our blessings, but I still have fond memories of him as a Rusike Brothers band member.
“The group consisted of Tawanda, Phillip, myself Abel, Kelly and his twin brother, Collin. We made quite a number of hits, such as Cecilia.”
Abel told H-Metro that burial arrangements were still sketchy as they were waiting for the late crooner’s daughter, Courtney, from her base outside the country.
“We are gathered in Cranborne waiting for Courtney’s arrival. She is expected tomorrow (today) and she is the one who will tell us when we will bury her father.
“Courtney is based in Zambia where she is married to the grandson of the late Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda.”
Fellow musician, Victor Kunonga, said:
“Kelly Rusike is one of the people who introduced me to the music market.
“Firstly, I went to Shed Studios to record my music and it was rejected.
“When Kelly Rusike came to Shed Studios, I was one of the first artists that he invited to come and record.
“He is the person who recorded my first album Such
Is Life and even introduced me to other top musicians in the industry.”
Legendary saxophonist Phillip Svosve said:
“The industry keeps on getting poorer and poorer following the loss of Kelly Rusike.
“We once worked together when we recorded Gift Musarurwa’s album and we were always in touch.
“I enjoyed every moment which I shared with him both in the studio and on stage where he gave it all.
“The local jazz community
has lost a music legend; we can only cherish the good things that he did for the industry.”
Music producer and former Black Spirits member, Clive “Mono” Mukundu, hailed Rusike as a professional.
“He understood music very well and he was also a professional. I shared the stage with him at a number of shows where I made cameo appearances.
“I discovered that he was indeed a talented musician who understood jazz. The industry is now poorer without Kelly Rusike who did a lot for the industry,” he said.
Seasoned music promoter and businessman, Josh Hozheri, said the news had left him devastated.
“He was one of the artists who supported my initiatives, especially the Winter Jazz festivals which I used to hold at Jazz 105.
“Kelly Rusike understood my vision and he really supported my initiative that we started at the then Sports Diner before we took it to Jazz 105.”