NORTON – We are proud and justifiably so many pioneers of our arts centre here at Pakare Paye continue flying our flag high and realizing their own dreams.

Munya Mataruse (23), mentored and developed at our academy has released his debut CD, Dengu reMhodzi (Bowl of Seed).
The 11-track release is a fusion of jazz and katekwe where Munya features separate collaborations with Tuku and our late son Sam Mtukudzi.

Munya and Sam were peers who, including other young talent, started developing their careers more professionally at the centre and at tender age under the tutelage of Tuku.

The album has Tuku on the track Hondo and Sam on the song Chinyavada. The rest of the nine tracks are entirely Munya’s – ari ega zvake. Tuku has mentored and ‘walked’with Munya introducing him to the BIG stage where he is making many friends and fans.

Tracks on the album are: Mai Mucha, Ndoenda, Kwaita Mhere (a dedication to Sam), Dzvuke, Handingamboshupika, Marunjeya, Matope, Kukurerera and Pakare Paye (which pays homage to our home).

The album was recorded at Studio Pakare Paye and produced by Sam Mtukudzi and Tuku.

Sam and his childhood friend Owen Chimhare, with whom the younger Mtukudzi perished in the same accident in 2010, were amongst the album engineers.

Says Munya: “Dengu Remhodzi being my first album was a big learning exercise and I’m excited it’s out and it will set the pace for me for all future work. The album brings a lot of emotions to me having worked with Sam and Owen on the CD and having to lose them both before the album was out. But I am consoled mudhara Tuku is there to lean on and move on. The album makes me proud to be a product of Tuku’s and Pakare Paye itself.”

Munya plays with the Pakare Paye Arts Centre based band Kazevezeve. Their music is a unique blend of styles ranging from Afro Jazz, Katekwe and Jiti bringing out a sound recognizable by its intensely catchy Zimbabwean melodies and smooth vocals.

Munya is a leading member of Umoja – a regional musical initiative whose thrust, like our own at Pakare Paye, is to nurture and develop young talent. – tukumusik.com