The Sunday Mail
Gary Tight (left) and his father Willom
BURSTING on the music scene in the 1990s with Mateo and Friends, which comprised of Matthew Kaunda and Patience Musa, versatile vocalist Willom Tight went on to establish himself as a household name.
Several hit songs later, a successful solo career in the bag and a great combo with Dino Mudondo to show for his career, Willom’s vibe fizzled out — only to resurface last year with the announcement of an album titled “Manifesto”, which features international acts like Salif Keita, Speedy and Uhuru. (The track “Ndewangu” off that album features South African popstar Speedy, and has been airing on DStv’s Channel O.)
And he has groomed his son Gary into one of the finer young artistes in Zimbabwe.
Gary Tight has slowly gained recognition for his talent on the guitar and behind the microphone. Following in his father’s footsteps, Gary has not been swept away by the wave of various trending urban music genres and has retained his love for Afro-fusions.
The father and son have a joint project dubbed “One and a Half Men”, on which they will release three songs and videos.
Last week, The Sunday Mail Leisure saw the duo in action at Dandaro Inn in Harare, where Gary was holding his first show after being contracted to perform at the venue every Tuesday evening.
The electric performance shows that doing music the “Tight way” is paying dividends.
After the show, the artistes said working together was a dream come true.
“We have been talking about this for a while and now that we have finally got down to it, it’s like a dream come true,” said Willom.
They have recorded two songs – “Toita Basa” and “Babe Ndiwe” — where their undisputed creativity and versatility is displayed. The third song, “Mangoma Aritight”, is still a work in progress.
“These songs are basically talking about our life in the music industry and what we have been through. If you listened to ‘Babe Ndiwe’, Gary is introducing me to the girl he intends to marry and I am hoping that one of these days I get to meet her in real life,” chuckled Willom.
They plan on holding a major show after completion of the project and have approached several sponsors to this end.
Willom is confident that his son is better than him by miles.
“Every time I think about Gary’s vocal approach, I get scared because his voice is just amazing.
‘‘He has developed his own way of vocalising because the way he sings is way too different from what I taught him.”
The proud dad says his son has only ever given him joy.
“Other people complain that their children give them headaches but with Gary I can simply say he has brought me pride and joy. Vamwe vana varikukwidza vabereki vavo BP, ini wangu ari kundikwidza ndege. (Other kids are raising their parents’ blood pressure, but mine is making me fly).”
A music career was always in the pipeline for young Gary as started getting instruments as birthday presents from age one.
“I always wanted him to be a musician, so when he turned one I bought him a keyboard as a toy and the following year I bought him a set of marimba. I have always been supporting him ever since he was a kid and I can tell you that Gary could play several instruments when he was in fourth grade.”
Gary left his father to do most of the talking during our interview but would politely interject once in a while.
“It is a blessing to have the opportunity to share the stage with your father and I pray that nothing tragic happens to any one of us so that we can continue working together for years to come,” said Gary.
Being the son of an established artiste, his major challenge is convincing people that he is his own man.
“Most people have a tendency of doubting musicians’ children but I am glad for and humbled by the support I have received.”
The lad is working on a 10-track album for release before year-end.
“I have already finished recording four tracks and on one of the singles, ‘Ndazonyora’, I featured Jah Prayzah and it is already playing on radio,” said Gary.
The 21-year-old, who considers his musical career to still be in its infancy, has already toured Germany, Italy, France, Austria and The Netherlands.
