Original Devera Ngwena inch closer to reunion
A TRIPARTITE show slated for December 25 in Gutu will see the original Devera Ngwena Jazz Band strengthens its reunion after its split in 1985.
Devera Ngwena will be supported by Mitchel Jambo and Marunga Brothers and Josefa Chauke and Marhula Crew.
Speaking to The Weekender from his Thohoyandou base in South Africa, band leader, Jonah Moyo, revealed that love was never lost among the original band members.
Said Moyo: “We reunited to record Vol 25, 30, 31 and 35 together. We are finalising Vol 39.
“We did a show in Harare recently and were humbled by how fans applauded our reunion. We selected to play in Gutu since it is synonymous with our hit song ‘‘Solo naMutsai’’. The song propelled us to greater heights,” added Moyo.
The 61-year-old Jonah Moyo whose music career has seen him tour countries like Belgium, United Kingdom, Holland and Germany has promised a polished show for fans in Gutu.
Devera Ngwena formed at Gath’s Mine in Mashava in 1977 had their first single, Devera Ngwena Zhimozhi released in 1979.
Several hits like ‘‘Barbra’’, ‘‘Solo naMutsai’’, ‘‘Grema Wepamoyo’’, ‘‘KwaMutare’’, ‘‘Wangu P’’, ‘‘Too Cheap’’, ‘‘Svika Fair Fair’’ and others followed.
The original members who recorded Volume One were Jonah Moyo on lead guitar, the late Robson Banda on bass, Innocent Bitu on rhythm, the late Patrick Kabanda on drums and Johnsai Machinya on vocals. The late Jabulani Bitu joined them on rhythm on Volume Two.
For his support acts, Mitchel Jambo is a seasoned musician who started music in 1977 and has released 10 albums. His hits songs include ‘‘Vimbiso’’, ‘‘Mudiwa Lucy’’ and ‘‘Ndini Uyo’’.
Jambo is also based in South Africa and is promising to come back home for good.