A FIRST-YEAR student at Zimbabwe College of Music, Davis “Paivepo” Nyamhandu, is set to take his artistry to another level on Friday as he launches his debut album, Kutandara Ne Paivepo, at the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre in Harare.
The 11-track album launch marks a major milestone in Nyamhandu’s blossoming career as an Afro-Jazz artiste.
The talented Chitungwiza-born rising star who can sing in five languages, English, Ndebele, Shona, Swahili and Nyanja, is currently in the second semester studying towards a Bachelor of Music in Ethnomusicology at the Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare.
The institution has nurtured some of Zimbabwe’s celebrated musicians, including guitarist and producer Clive “Mono” Mukundu, gospel star Charles Charamba, Afro Fusion songbird Pah Chihera and mbira songstress Hope Masike.
Nyamhandu’s album launch promises to be a night of rich musical artistry and vibrant live performances if his performance on Friday at the Winter Warmer Concert is anything to go by.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style on the sidelines of the Winter Warmer Concert, Nyamhandu said the decision to enrol at the music institution shows how serious he is about understanding music from different perspectives, notwithstanding his musical gift that can be enough for him to succeed.
“Yes, I might have the voice, but I needed some theoretical aspects to learn how to use my voice, how to read and write music musically, how to sing and play an instrument, learn how to engage the audience and learn how to dance. This is why I decided to enrol for a Bachelor of Music in Ethnomusicology at Zimbabwe College of Music,” he said.
Nyamhandu, who is backed by Paivepo band, said his composition was inspired by what he saw, heard and experienced in society.
- UK tour big breakthrough for Feli Nandi
- Amuli now full-time traditional healer
- Mhofela finally drops album
- Muchemwa, Dino Mudondo join forces
Keep Reading
His passion for music started as a little boy singing for fun at primary school. This would blossom in 2021 while he was enrolled at Mavuradonha High School.
“I used to sing in church, and I would watch some of my peers playing instruments and I was motivated to also play the instruments. After high school, I applied for the national certificate, and the passion continues to grow to date,” Nyamhandu recalled.
He said the debut album’s title, Kutandara Nepaivepo, was inspired by a fan during one of his live performances at a local restaurant.
“The album is a series I am launching that will have episodes. For example, this debut is Kutandara Nepaivepo's first edition as there will be a Kutandara Nepaivepo second edition, Kutandara Nepaivepo third edition, going like that,” the artiste said.
Songs on Nyamhandu’s debut album blend traditional rhythms with modern influences, showcasing his deep understanding of music as a cultural and expressive force.
“The overall theme of my album revolves around appreciation. Appreciating our race as blacks, appreciating our culture and beliefs as Africans, appreciating one another and appreciating love among one another,” Nyamhandu said.
“I can sing in Swahili, Ndebele, English, Shona and Nyanja. I love to sing in languages other than Shona, an inspiration I got from our own internationally-acclaimed Afro Fusion band, Mokoomba. So, what I do is, I compose a song in Shona, then research the Shona words in the language I want to use. I learn the tone of the language and how to pronounce the words.”
The college’s executive director, Rachel Jera-Chigwanda, said Nyamhandu had consistently demonstrated remarkable creativity, passion and commitment to his craft.
“As Davis Nyamhandu and his band take this bold step into the spotlight, his debut album launch stands as not only a celebration of musical talent, but also a demonstration of the rich artistic spirit emerging from Zimbabwe College of Music,” she said.
The guest of honour at the launch is legendary guitarist and singer Mukundu. A star-studded line-up of performers, including the acclaimed jazz maestro Josh Meck, Kudzi Kayz and Trancer MK, will provide support to the rising star.
To add more flair to the launch there will be performances from Prince Avalon and Band, Wamambo and Afrimba.
