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WOMADELAIDE 2001
program highlights
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Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits (Zimbabwe) |
| Known to his many fans
across Zimbabwe as Tuku, Oliver Mtukudzi is the country’s biggest star.
Tuku’s career has spanned twenty years and 35 original albums, nearly all
of them best-sellers. His dedication to the live music scene in Zimbabwe,
playing to enthusiastic audiences in even the remotest parts of the country,
has earned him respect and a place in the hearts of his people. Tuku
was initiated into the world of professional music in 1977 when he joined
the now legendary Wagon Wheels, which also featured Thomas Mapfumo.
In fact, a number of the musicians from the Wagon Wheels line-up form the
Black Spirits, the band who have backed Tuku throughout his career, and
who will perform for the first time at Womadelaide 2001. With
Zimbabwean Independence in 1980, Tuku and the Black Spirits produced Africa,
one of the most important albums of its time. Since Independence,
Oliver has released two albums every year, establishing himself as a producer,
arranger, a prolific song-writer and with his famous big voice, a formidable
lead singer. He has been so innovative in these various fields,
that his music is now widely known as Tuku music. Oliver has also
ventured into the worlds of film and drama, taking the lead role in Zimbabwean
film JIT (which was released in Europe) and writing and directing the live
musical production Was My Child, a project highlighting the plight of Zimbabwe’s
street children. Oliver and the Black Spirits continue to perform
regularly in Zimbabwe, as well as parts of Europe, and South Africa. Oliver
Mtukudzi returns to Womadelaide following a debut performance in ’99, this
time with his band The Black Spirits.
www.tukumusic.com |
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