I moved to Harare in January 2001 to take up a job offer as a sound recording and mixing engineer at Shed Studios co-owned by Mr Keith Farquharson and ZMC, the largest recording label in Zimbabwe. My work there introduced me to many of Zimbabwe’s leading musicians and exposed me to a considerable diversity of music genres, styles and talent.
I was also tasked to keep the studio management abreast of appropriate new market technology to ensure that the studio facilities remained competitive and upgraded whenever possible.
I have maintained a relationship with Shed Studios working on a free-lance basis, when time avails, ever since.
Influences
I was offered the opportunity of working with one of Africa’s greatest musicians Mr Oliver Mtukudzi and his band the Black Spirits (9-piece) from July 2001, as the front of house engineer for ‘live’ shows. This job included hiring in a range of equipment from local sound-hire companies enabling me to gain first-hand experience in operating an extensive variety of musical equipment and develop knowledge of the range of professional sound systems and foh audio technology.
By 2003, I was spending close to six months of the year touring with Oliver Mtukudzi all over the world but especially North America, United Kingdom and Europe. On the African continent, we did numerous tours in Southern Africa and completed a French-Africa tour in 2005 which included thirteen countries in East and Central Africa. All touring involved consultation with technical departments of all the Festivals / Clubs / Theatres and the promoters prior to departure of the respective tours.
I also worked on the recording/mix of four of Oliver Mtukudzi’s albums in this period (2003 - 2007), including his last release “Tsimba iTsoka (May 2007).
In January 2008, I completed the recording of another album with the working title ‘ ….. ‘ which will be released internationally later in the year.
Sounds Like
I worked as a sound engineer for the regional group called Mahube founded by Steve Dyer (the Artistic and Musical Director) and with whom Oliver Mtukudzi was a core member. This group consisted of musicians from southern Africa through whom I gained broader experience engaging with different musical ideas and styles as well quite compromised technical situations when accompanying the group on tours around the local region. Some of the events I covered with Mahube include:-
- Harare International Festival of Arts Zimbabwe (1999 and 2005)
- Regional tours in Botswana, SouthAfrica, Swaziland, Mozambique.
- Various concerts in South Africa including Womad RSA, Birchwood, Market Theatre, Awesome Africa Spiers and Oude de Libertas Theatre.
- Mixed a ‘live’ recording of a show (1999) to 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo.
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
I am a quiet, focussed person with a passion for music who interacts well with the people that work in the industry and readily engage with musicians. I am a self-motivated person who actively enjoys the process of exploring every possible option to attain a goal, however challenging. I have a natural aptitude for professional audio technology and been blessed with a keen musical ear.
AZABE (Alliance of Zimbabwe Artists Based Elsewhere) is a new initiative started early 2008 and open to all types of artists of Zimbabwean origin who are:- 1. Based Elsewhere besides Zimbabwe
2. Find themselves working more outside Zimbabwe
3. Travel/Tour outside Zimbabwe
4. Would like to support & see Zimbabwean arts and artists outside Zimbabwe
We are collecting data and are hoping to properly formulate and constitute the Alliance soon. Please join us at myspace and please spread the gospel! AZABE TEAM
