The Sunday Mail
Mondays will never be the same again, at least for serious live music lovers.
Gone are the days when everything “good” on a Monday was in the past, that is, the weekend was gone. Most music lovers had nothing to look forward to. But not anymore.
City Sports Bar has changed all that with the Monday Night Jam Sessions dubbed, “Ka Monday Kanenge Friday”.
The sessions are always packed to the rafters as music enthusiasts are entertained by mostly underground musicians eager to break through. Apart from underground, or rather, unknown artistes, there are others who are trying to resuscitate their music careers that long took a dip while others just like to join in the fun and remind themselves and music fans how good they used to have it.
It is like an open mic session, only more professionally run with a proper PA system and, for those who do not have bands, session musicians are always on standby. Since the Jam Sessions started in January this year, musicians such Potifa Mopo, Pramastove, Sister Kessia, Dereck Majaivana, Benjamin Chidehwe, Chikomana Shaddy, Chirandu, Motion Express, Nyasha Mugari and Dibura just to name a few who have performed before an audience of hundreds. Not familiar names? Exactly the point.
This is pure music promotion, giving someone an opportunity to test themselves and to interact with other artistes as well as stakeholders in the arts industry.
Even recognisable names like Madiz, Taso, Kireni Zulu, Tendai Dembo, Biggie Tembo Jnr, Allan Chimbetu, Ammara Brown, Cde Chinx, Hossiah Chipanga, Andy Muridzo, Talking Guitars, Nicholas Zakaria, Kapfupi and Dino Mudondo, have found the Monday nights a perfect platform to play to sizeable audiences, interact with journalists and music promoters.
The place is always crawling with arts journalists, bar and venue managers/owners, music promoters and established artistes looking for talent to poach. It is no secret that established musicians get their dancers from dance groups and backing vocalists from struggling bands. These artistes, especially the younger ones, know this and they always make sure to impress on their alloted 30 minutes.
Last Monday was different.
Daniel Gonora, yes, the blind man who plies his trade along First Street with his two sons was in the house. Gonora is a former Jairos Jiri band member and now makes a living from playing on the street.
He plays his own compositions as well as covers.
For someone who mainly uses makeshift instruments in his trade, what people witnessed at City Sports Bar was amazing. He had the crowd eating from his hands. No doubt he will be getting more help from the proprietors of the bar, Devine Assignments, plus many other promoters and established musicians that were in the building. Simba Band, Sister Rudo, Sister Fox, Simon Mutambi, Tich Mutodi, Chirandu and Potato were on the bill that same night. It was a hotchpotch of fine as well as raw artistes playing different music genres to an appreciative crowd. The good thing about the Jam Sessions is that no one is booed or chased from the stage, even the most atrocious singers and instrument players get their time, they may not be applauded, but no one discourages them.
City Sports Bar manager Yassin Dlala, who has worked for several live performance venues, restaurants as well as bars, including the famed but now defunct Jazz 105, believes that every artiste should be given an opportunity.
“Our system in Zimbabwe right now, especially Harare, does not recognise upcoming artistes and struggling musicians who may be in need of some rejuvenation. There are no places where artistes (big and small), promoters, journalists and promoters, among other arts stakeholders meet to interact and share ideas about the industry. I’m glad to be contributing through this session,” said Dlala.
The City Sports Bar Jam Session was started in January this year. Management at the venue says it responded to a call by artistes who inundated their phones with calls and spent hours at their offices looking for shows yet they did not have enough crowd pulling power to stage solo gigs. So many others offered their services for free just to get a few moments on stage.
However, what started as a concept to pass time is now serious business, attracting established as well as fresh talent.
Said Dlala: “The response has been overwhelming, I cannot believe it myself. I’m receiving calls from artistes in Bulawayo, Bindura, Mutorashanga, Victoria Falls, Kwekwe, Shamva, Masvingo, Checheche, Jerera and Chimanimani to name just a few, who want to take part in the event.
“Established artistes like Suluman Chimbetu, Bob Nyabinde and Albert Nyathi have graced us just to support the concept, the young artistes as well as give advice and share their stories.”
