This year’s Solo fest became the first ever, to get sponsorship in the history of the fest and was complemented by an interesting line-up of the divas and genre diversity. NewsDay, Tuku Music, Chipaz Promotions, Harare Jazz Festival and Spar (the main sponsor) bankrolled the event. The venue was the Sam Mtukudzi Conference centre at Pakare Paye, Norton and some of the musicians were Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu and Bob Nyabinde.
The festival kicked off at midday covering a mix of genres from vocals, dance, and instruments including guitar, percussion, marimba, mbira, hosho. There was also poetry and comedy. Some of the upcoming prodigies from Pakare Paye including Munya Mataruse and Poda Muriwa staged a remarkable performance on vocals and acoustic guitar.
As artist’s we are humbled by this initiative, since it builds confidence in artist’s at individual level, hence it paves way for realizing our talent, said Mataruse.
Never in the history of the solo fest had the country seen on one stage in one day, outstanding performances from musical greats such as Tuku, Chimbetu , Macheso,Steve Makoni, Nyabinde and Victor Kunonga. Macheso who was also making his first appearance, perfoming as a solo artist said the idea of artists playing solo is a way of realising talent and grooming young artists and make them realise their capability.
Chirikure Chirikure and Albert Nyathi also thrilled the audience with their lines of poetry. The grand finale was a jam session featuring all the artists on stage together.
The solo fest is a brainchild of Tuku who is the executive producer and artistic director of the festival. The event has grown in stature over the years from being an in house affair to the Pakare Paye family to become one of the biggest national platforms to showcase local talent.