Mokoomba shine:
HAVING been recognised as Best Newcomers at Songlines Music Awards in 2013, widely touring afro-fusion band Mokoomba have an opportunity to mark their 10 years of professional music colourfully with another gong at the same awards this weekend.
Armed with their third studio album “Luyando”, the group has been nominated in the Best Group category.
Currently touring the United Kingdom, Mokoomba is among the crème de la crème to perform at the awards ceremony at Electric Brixton in London tomorrow, sharing stage with Vieux Farka Touré, Black String, Warsaw Village Band, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino and Maya Youssef.
Mokoomba’s manager Marcus Gora said they are happy to be celebrating their 10th anniversary with a fruitful year.
“This year marks 10 years of Mokoomba as a professional outfit and we are happy to have been able to touch the hearts of many people with our music, cutting across boundaries and cultures,” he said.
This year Mokoomba was inducted into the Afropop Hall of Fame in United States, an honour only local legends Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo have had.
They have also been touring more than three quarters of the year, staging at over 50 venues and festivals in North America and Europe.
One of their most memorable performances this year was when they made a one show stop in Zimbabwe, to perform at Jacaranda Music Festival in Harare two weeks ago, before continuing on to UK, Canada and Mexico.
They gave a tantalising performance to their local fans, showing off amazing coordination, dance choreography, great sound and incredible instrumental work.
Gora said the group will give more to their local fans.
“When we return we are planning on doing local concerts in Victoria Falls, Bulawayo and Harare to celebrate the milestone and the various achievements we have made in our music journey. We are indeed grateful for the support we have received from music lovers and our partners over the years,” he said.
Mokoomba is a celebrated afro-fusion band hailing from Victoria Falls.
They sing in different languages including Tonga, Ndebele, Chewa, Nyanja and Shona.