Vusa Mkhaya’s debut solo concert
By Zandile Zaza Ndlovu
The Indaba Cafe in Bulawayo will this Friday play host to its prodigal son Vusa Mkhaya Ndlovu.
Popularly known for his harmonious melodies and dance routines in the group Insingizi, Vusa returns home to perform for the first time as a solo artiste.
Based in Vienna Austria for over 20 years as a classical music lecturer, composer, singer, song writer, performing artiste and entrepreneur, Vusa has become a household name for traditional Mbube, Afro Jazz and Maskandi music.
Although he is quick to note that he is a world musician and feels classifying his music into genres would restrict him, he expresses himself as a music lover who enjoys creating beautiful music that is good for the soul.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience he has mentored and hosted the likes of Hope Masike, Blessing Bled Chimanga, Nobuntu and Jeys Marabini among others.
Vusa said he was excited to return home after completing a tour of Europe and the USA.
He described it not as a homecoming but as an introduction to his solo projects as a solo artiste.
He said he would also be sampling tracks from his three CDs Spirit of Ubuntu, Vocalism and his latest offering Manyanyatha of which the title song Manyanyatha received over twenty thousand views on Facebook the day it was launched.
The artiste has partnered with local musicians such as guitarist Mthabisi Moyo, Othnel Mangoma Moyo on percussion.
“Audiences can expect to be dazzled and should come prepared to sing along and dance. This is a family friendly concert suitable for all ages,” he said.
Vusa is part of an international award winning trio Insingizi from Bulawayo, but based in Vienna Austria with their first CD selling over 250 000 copies in North America and being certified gold.
Besides his solo projects he also performs with MoZuluArt, and the Hans Theesink band.
As part of Insingizi, Vusa and his partners Blessings Nkomo and Dumisani Ramadu Moyo were rewarded with the “Prix France Musique du Monde 2010” (Radio France World Music Award) at the Babel Med World Music Forum in Marseille France.
Their music has been featured on various documentary films on TV stations that include the BBC (UK), ORF (Austria), ARD (Germany), PBS (USA) and ARTE (France) to mention but a few.
Insingizi are also scheduled to take part at John F KENNEDY´s 100th birthday celebrations at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington DC USA from 27 June to 4 July 2017.
