By Shepherd Mutamba

NORTON – Tuku is in rehearsal here with his late son’s group the AY Band in readiness for collaborations ahead as Mtukudzi carries on the legacy of his boy Sam.
“We can’t replace Sam because he is irreplaceable. No one artist can be replaced because we are unique as artists individually,” Tuku told the AY Band today as they rehearsed for the first time since the death of Sam and his close friend Owen the group’s sound engineer nearly one month ago now.
“But the idea is to carry on with AY Band. We have to adjust without Sam and move on. It will be painful and difficult but we must be strong,” Tuku said.
Sam’s band returned to their rehearsal venue at Pakare Paye Arts Centre still visibly shaken by the loss of their band leader.
Regrouping at the venue - their home ground since the formation of AY Band in 2006 - brought back memories of the tragic loss on Monday 15th March 2010.
The band members broke down as they held each other’s hands, shaking and heavy with emotion as tears rolled down their cheeks. Tuku led them in prayer and they observed a minute silence to the memory of Sam and Owen.
But Tuku’s presence, as he joined the band for rehearsal, was reassuring to the youthful group.
Said Tuku: “I will continue working with the AY Band. I have worked with them before and there is no reason why I should stop now. I regard the AY Band as my own children and it will be business as usual as we carry on Sam’ legacy.”
From the beginning of this year Tuku had already intensified his collaborations with Sam and the AY Band featuring together at several of Sam’s performances including the Perekedza Mwana shows and the one-off Nzou neMhuru Mudanga in Harare.
This week - Saturday 17 April - Tuku goes on stage for pieces with the AY Band at the Harare Jazz Festival, at Harare Sports Club, where Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sibongile Khumalo and Silvia Manco are featuring.
The following day - Sunday 18 April - the band performs at Mushandirapamwe Hotel gardens in Highfield, Harare, The show is a free jazz gig which is an extension of the main festival where several local groups are performing – taking jazz to the ghetto masses.
Martha Badza, AY Band’s backing vocalist is rehearsing for some of the lead vocal roles for the jazz show: “It will be very difficult to do Sam’s songs…he had his style unique to him alone but we will try our best. The whole band will do amazing work in memory of Sam and Owen.” – tukumusik.com

Tuku leads AY Band in prayer and observing a minute silence in memory of Sam and Owen before rehearsal this morning

In readiness for more collaborations with Sam's AY Band...Tuku in rehearsal this morning with AY Band for the Harare Jazz Festival set for Saturday.

Tuku in rehearsal this morning with AY Band.