Sereetsi, Tuku to perform at Mascom Live sessions
WeekendLife
Zimbabwean Jazz maestro, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is due for his annual pilgrimage at Mascom Live Sessions next week Friday, this time round with Botswana’s freshest and vibiest band, Sereetsi and the natives. It will be the third time the two have shared a stage.
Since they came out to play, Sereetsi and the Natives have gotten tongues wagging with their first album “Four String Confessions” and they are still enjoying great attention as when they started out. Band leader, Tomeletsi Sereetsi told Weekend Life that they were looking forward to the Mascom Live Sessions as it would hopefully create a platform for a possible collaboration with the Zimbabwean legend.
“We have shared the stage with Mutukudzi before, the last being at The Hamptons; it will be the third time performing alongside him. We are looking forward to playing our music, which is obviously very different from his and of course we hope to win new fans as we create our magic on stage,” he said.
Sereetsi and the Natives have just completed a South African tour where they serenaded fans in that country with their musical prowess. According to Sereetsi, the South African tour was a resounding success.
“It was a god experience overall, the reception was great. We really achieved a lot, we have gotten attention of the necessary people in the industry there,” he said.
Furthermore, The Botswana band will be in Chicago starting this week (September 28th to October 4th) for CD Baby’s DIY Musicians Conference slated for Congress Plaza Hotel. Sereetsi said the tour will present as a great networking opportunity and will expose them to cutting edge ideas relating to the creative business side of the craft as well as allow for them to meet fellow artistes and leading industry players from across the world.
During the US tour, the band will also play at Uncommon Ground with Chicago singer and songwriter, Hannah Frank on September 29.
Sereetsi and the Natives have always had their sight set on the international arena. He previously told media that “It has been part of my strategic plan to make inroads in the region and globally”.
The tour will be his debut appearance on American soil.
“We hope it will set the tone for further collaboration as we will meet a variety of resourceful persons,” he said.
The “Thaakokome” hit makers performed in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Mahikeng, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and have performed alongside South African greats such as Nathi, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Tshepo Tshola, The Soil, Jaziel Brothers and Bhudaza.
Dubbed one of the few genuine innovators on the Zimbabwean music scene, Mtukudzi has been a favourite at the Botswana Craft, having been performing there since 2009. He has earned himself devoted fans locally, as well as internationally in places like Canada, the US and the UK where he has toured.
His blending of Southern African music traditions, including mbira, mbaqanga, jit, and the traditional drumming styles of the Korekore, has created such a unique sound that it has been respectfully dubbed "Tuku music."
Tuku, as he is affectionately called by his legion of fans has always had his deep gutsy speak for him, but his talent for writing songs that reflect on the daily life and struggles of the people of his homeland has made him one of Zimbabwe's greatest artists and earned him more accolades internationally.
Mtukudzi is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's "supergroup”.
Meanwhile, Mascom Live Sessions are now in their sixth year. They have so far included headline international artistes such as Hugh Masekela, Salif Keita, Ringo Madlingozi, Lira, and Freshly Ground as well as many other local and international performers.
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The Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO have collaborated for over two years to support and recognize women scientists who have achieved scientific excellence. These organizations have awarded more than 100 laureates, with five of them going on to win Nobel Prizes. These women researchers, who have worked in various scientific fields across different continents, are not only changing the world through their discoveries but also serving as role models for aspiring women scientists.
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