tuku plays wellington — Truman Boyes

Last night we attended the Opera House to see Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi play some of his new music from his album Tsimba Itsoka as well as some of his classics. I got into listening to his music after reading about him about 8 years ago when my mother was traveling to Africa. I purchased the Paivepo album for her, and then completely got into it myself. The Zimbabwe and other southern Africa peoples living in New Zealand were absolutely spell bound when he started playing. Tuku has fun with the people and gets into jamming on his guitar, dancing like crazy (more than you could imagine for a man born in 1952), and telling stories. Sometimes he would break into English and connect with the larger audience, thou most of the singing is in Shona.

We danced from one of the middle tiers in the opera house, and suprisingly met up with one of Jenny’s co-workers whom is from Zimbabwe.

Tuku generously signed autographs of his CD’s and we got him to sign his new album as well as Paivepo. Great work Tuku, thanks for the visit!

Originally published on truman.net. See the archived copy.