CHRIS GUDU - THE JOURNEY SO FAR……..
THE MUSICAL JOURNEY
“I feel my musical journey started from the time I was born in Zimbabwe, from the time I opened my eyes and is going to continue on as long as I’m around and beyond. I was born into a very musical family. We all sang at church. My mum was a gospel choir leader and we have never stopped the music. My musical career has developed in different stages where I have rediscovered myself and moved on to the next level. With time, maturity and experience, the things you want to sing about change. The environment and the people around you have a great influence on this.”
“I was always involved in music and bands but as a student in England I had my first really serious musical experience in the band “Matonto” with my brother which really opened my eyes to writing and performing. I say with true conviction “music is my life, my life is music”.
THE “CHRIS GUDU” STYLE OF MUSIC
“ My style of music is based on the Southern African “township jive music”. Having been born and brought up in Zimbabwe, It’s a fusion of Zimbabwean groove and Southern African groove. Being from the Ndebele tribe, our roots are from South Africa so I relate to the southern African music, Umbaqanga. This particular music is really free-spirited and originates from the streets and shebeens of Soweto and has spread across Southern Africa. It’s a neighbourhood thing; exuberant and vibrant!”
“I think I’ve developed a distinctive sound. I like to listen to lots of different artists from Africa and other parts of the world and to incorporate different sounds in my music. I was listening to a Taiwanese pop singer the other day, Richie Ren and I really thought I felt African elements in his music! I think I’m a world musician and I enjoy my music crossing boundaries and cultures.”
ON BEING INSPIRED
“So much great music! Music from home- Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Don Gumbo, The Four Brothers, Sankomota, Youssou Ndour, and Femi Kuti. I don’t get too focused or engrossed on just one artist or style. I have a really broad interest which drives my inspiration: Blues, jazz, funk and country music and artists like Louis Armstrong, Robert Cray and Taj Mahal. There’s no beginning and no end. I didn’t invent music and I don’t imitate style, I allow it to evolve in a positive way, developing a musical maturity. Although the rhythmic and music message has always been strong and meaningful in my work, the lyrical message has really become more powerful. My latest album, Bavimbeni has a real balance between the rhythm and lyrics. Each song carries a strong message and special meaning. This album is so important to me. I feel I have something to say. I sing in my native language, but inside the cover the feeling and the meaning of each song is explained so that the listener can really gain an access to it.”
THE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE
“As soon as I arrived in Australia, I felt a strong desire to get something going. When I first arrived there were very few Africans here, let alone African musicians! I needed to hook up with good musicians and found that the great thing about Australian musicians is that they take music very seriously and are always willing to experiment and find out about other music and cultures. I was warmly welcomed and formed my band Jive Kayana almost immediately. I found the audience so warm and involved in the music which really reflects the nature of Australians.”
“The experience in Britain was certainly challenging but allowed me to grow and to realize what I needed to do differently. In Australia, I have grown to believe more and more each day in what I do. Rediscovering myself is a beautiful thing. Every day there is something to look forward to which helps me to grow musically, to relate to people and to open up and understand what people want and how I can give it to them.”
“If you are from Africa, people expect you to share the African experience with them. I think my music is different and because Australia is a multicultural society the Australian people are open to something new and my music provides a platform for me and the audience to connect, to forget about worries and to have fun. Music is taken seriously in Australia and it is really appreciated. That fuels me to keep going.”
“ Music is a universal language and we all receive it and appreciate it in the same way. In my homeland obviously the lyrics are immediately understood and different things will touch different people. Even if people don’t understand the words they are going to say “I like this groove, it makes me want to move” I help them to appreciate the meaning through the rhythm and music. I am happy for it to appeal to them as a piece of art. When I say “Umbaqanga”, it’s exciting!”
CHRIS GUDU LIVE
“I live to perform live! Intimacy is created in the atmosphere of the performance. It’s a real sharing not just “catch me if you can”. A real feeling of intimacy is created in the sharing. There is perhaps a real closeness because the audience depends on me to involve them and draw them in- “permission to move”. I always thank the audience from the bottom of my heart. They have come from near and far to share this particular moment. I have a thousand eyes on me- waiting for me to do something, welcoming me. When I say thank you, I joke sometimes. I say “It’s strange you guys have to pay to see me because I’m enjoying watching you all dancing and singing along so much that I should pay you!”
‘‘So what could someone expect from a Chris Gudu performance? High energy shows! When we perform, we give the audience a show where the music is speaking to them. It’s interactive. The performers and the audience are all in it together. We will be touring around the nation to share the new album after the launch at The Basement in Sydney.”
BAVIMBENI
“As I’ve said, this album is a very special project. It’s my debut solo album. I took my time to create this album and recorded it in my own studio- Broad Arrow Sound House. I played most of the instruments. Some good friends assisted but I did things I didn’t think I could do like playing keyboards and guitars. I’m actually a singer, bass player and drummer so I really enjoyed being stretched and challenged creatively. When I finished, I played it to some musician friends and initially pretended that I had used some visiting musicians and singers from Mozambique! I was testing my ability. They thought it was cool so I felt I didn’t do a bad job. Actually I have “Bigg Love” for it- that’s the name of my company.”
“I’m really looking forward to launching and sharing the album with everyone out there. I want to thank Hardrush music for taking this album on board and looking after me. I think we’re going to have an awesome journey together. The best moments are when someone comes up to me and says “That song you played meant so much to me” or “Chris, I’ve been listening to your CD and I might not understand all the words, but I feel it!”
It’s all about the journey and I’m loving it!”
Chris Kayana Gudu hails from Bulawayo, Zimababwe where he grew up not only playing musical instruments and singing with his brothers, but actually making the instruments, namely guitars and drums. "I even remember one time when my brother made a microphone which worked really well" he recalls.
As well as singing and dancing Chris has always switched between drums and bass guitar. Before he left home for England in 1990 he was well established as a drummer more than a bass player, playing with one of, if not the most popular gospel singer at that time, Brian Sibalo. After playing drums for Brian Sibalo he picked up his bass again and joined an afro soul-group Wells Fargo where he played with a couple of musicians from the world famous Oliver Mtukudzi's band.
When Chris moved to London, England he played with a number of groups such as Maluju and Thuza both from South Africa. It was not long before Chris and his brother Calvin Gudu who is famous for a number of hits all across southern Africa as well as being a producer formed their own band Matonto. Besides the backing and session musicians the group also featured two other girls from South Africa and Zimbabwe, Nobizo Mkhwananzi and Sime Mlaphisani as front liners. The four piece Matonto toured around England and commanded a large following in Southern Africa secondary to hits such as Umendo, Ncam Ncam and more.
When Chris moved to Australia in September 1997 he picked up his bass again and formed his own band Jive Kayana. Chris the bass playing lead singer is also an accomplished composer and arranger. The up tempo and exuberant music of Jive Kayana is what is often referred to as township jive music. It is better know back in southern Africa as Umbaqanga music which sometimes presents a touch of afro jazz..
Umbaqanga music originates from the streets and shebeens of Soweto, spreading all through and across southern Africa..
Jive Kayana recently released the album Rhythm of the Brave under the Jumparound Productions label..
Check out the new CD from Chris "Bavimbeni" soon to be released on Hardrush Music..
Hey, we just wanted to drop by to let you know that we have posted our Fall issue of Artistic Pursuit magazine on our website at artisticpursuit. org. It has some of our favorite Myspace and Artistic Pursuit artists spotlighted. Please check it out and support your fellow independent and amateur artists. We also have listed the top artists for the month of November. Be sure to check to see if you're one of them. Here's a video about our Magazine and winners.
Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.
Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks. Once you start making progress towards your goal, you will be magically propelled towards eventual reward.
Just keep listening and taking direction from inside you. Be patient; your dreams will not come true overnight.
But start now, and go with love and courage and confidence. Don't be afraid. You can do anything you believe you can.
And don't forget to keep an open mind and heart to check yourself along the way.
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