Band Fusion yearning for international breakthrough
A STYLISH, skilled group of young men are gradually etching their names in Bulawayo’s urban music folklore as their inventiveness and amicability as a band has grabbed the attention of many in the country.
Formally known as the P Jay Flames, Band Fusion is made up of established artistes who have held tight to the band music industry. The outfit is made up of Paul Maseko (bass guitarist), Petros Nyambi (vocals), Joseph Banda (keyboards) and Lungile Ndlovu (drums) former Harmonic Rhythms member. They recently incorporated the services of Delukes on vocals and afro-pop band Ingoma Ingoma auxiliary keyboardist talented Prince Joel Nyoni.
Wherever they perform, the band has proved that with age comes maturity as they have left an indelible mark at their regular places Red Café on Thursdays, Smokehouse and The Place on Saturdays and at Alabama on Sundays.
Last Sunday performing in front of a full house Alabama nightspot located downstairs at Bulawayo’s Rainbow Hotel they marvelled people with their top-drawer performance.
Ladies were uncontrollable as they wanted a piece of the band with the male counterparts showering the artistes with money.
Paul Maseko, the group’s spokesperson said as a group who have toured nationwide, they are working flat out to penetrate the regional and international market.
“As a group we have worked with each other for quite a while and are now familiar with our strengths and weaknesses thus we are polishing our sets nowadays to have pure quality that can see us perform abroad.
“It is our wish that the negotiations we are having with bands from outside the country are fruitful as we want by year end to have made a name in the regional and even international music industry,” said Maseko.
He said as a band their vision is to entertain their clientele with the finest live good music.
“We have travelled throughout Zimbabwe to places that include Harare, Gweru, Beitbridge, Zvishavane and Plumtree and have played at corporate functions that include Steward Bank, Old Mutual and Econet.
“In our every set we give it our all as we want to be one of the music groups in the country and abroad,” he said.
Rebranded in 2017, the group says it is pleased with the support they have been getting from all round the country though there is no unity in the country’s band sector.
“As we speak, we already have gigs lined up for corporate functions and weddings and that is overwhelming for us as a group as this enables us to put food on the table and continue with our passion.
“It has not been quite easy to stay in the game as sometimes we have had people who are discouraging us saying you can’t live “ngamakatari” and also there is no unity among artistes in the band sector,” said Maseko.
The group has in the past worked with Moses Ngwenya of the Afro-Brothers, Zim dancehall chanter Jah Signal at shows and adept guitarist Silent Nqo who wowed fans at the recently held Jacaranda Music Festival in Harare.