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Oliver Mtukudzi (1952-2019)
(Zimbabwe)
Biography
Oliver Mtukudzi (sometimes spelled Mutukudzi) has been one of the most prolific artists from Zimbabwe.
He mixed the Chimurenga music, made famous by Thomas Mapfumo, music that accompanied the liberation
war in Rhodesia, characterised by the use of rhythms of the thumb piano (Mbira), with the Mbaqanga music
from South Africa. The Mbaqanga, in Zimbabwe known as Simanje-Manje was brought in by the famous producer
West Nkosi.
Oliver began singing in a church choir at age of 10. He taught himself to play a guitar although his parents objected to him becoming a guitar player. In the 1970s, he began recording and already his second song became a huge hit in Zimbabwe.
In 1979, it became possible to perform openly and the road to success was open. He was one of the most productive artists in Zimbabwe and created his own label Tuku Music, as well as a production company, through which he also promotes young musicians to start their career.
Oliver Mtukudzi, "Tuku" in short, has produced probably more than 60 albums throughout the 1980s, 1990s until 2019, often 2 albums per year. His son, Sam Mtukudzi, was also a musician. Tragically, Sam died in a traffic accident in March 2010. His father, Oliver, was shattered, and the 2013 album « Sarawoga » was meant to be a tribute to Sam. Oliver's daughter Selmor Mtukudzi is also a singer. After Oliver Mtukudzi died in 2019 of diabetis, she continued working with some of the members of Oliver's band Black Spirits.
Musicians on Ziwere MuKøbenhavn:
Oliver Mutukudzi, Nicholas Kunaka, Picky Kasamba vocals
Albert Kapondoro electric bass
Samuel Mtewa drums
Picky Kasamba percussion
Robert Mutukudzi keyboards
Job Mteswa 1st electric guitar
Pilani Dube 2nd electric guitar
Oliver began singing in a church choir at age of 10. He taught himself to play a guitar although his parents objected to him becoming a guitar player. In the 1970s, he began recording and already his second song became a huge hit in Zimbabwe.
In 1979, it became possible to perform openly and the road to success was open. He was one of the most productive artists in Zimbabwe and created his own label Tuku Music, as well as a production company, through which he also promotes young musicians to start their career.
Oliver Mtukudzi, "Tuku" in short, has produced probably more than 60 albums throughout the 1980s, 1990s until 2019, often 2 albums per year. His son, Sam Mtukudzi, was also a musician. Tragically, Sam died in a traffic accident in March 2010. His father, Oliver, was shattered, and the 2013 album « Sarawoga » was meant to be a tribute to Sam. Oliver's daughter Selmor Mtukudzi is also a singer. After Oliver Mtukudzi died in 2019 of diabetis, she continued working with some of the members of Oliver's band Black Spirits.
Musicians on Ziwere MuKøbenhavn:
Oliver Mutukudzi, Nicholas Kunaka, Picky Kasamba vocals
Albert Kapondoro electric bass
Samuel Mtewa drums
Picky Kasamba percussion
Robert Mutukudzi keyboards
Job Mteswa 1st electric guitar
Pilani Dube 2nd electric guitar
Oliver Mtukudzi
Born:22 September 1952, in Highfield, Harare
Died: Died 23 January 2019 in Harare
Style: Tuku Beat (Mbira mixed with Mbaqanga)
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Hany'Ga (Concern) | 2018 | Sheer Sound SLCD 1802 | |
| Eheka! Nhai Yahwe (Enjoy! My Dear Friend) | 2016 | Sheer Sound SLCD 402 | |
| One Night at Sixty | 2015 | Sheer Sound | Live recording |
| Mukombe We Mvura | 2014 | Sheer Sound SLCD 309 | (Live at Pakare Paye) |
| Sarawoga | 2013 | Sheer Sound SLCD 254 | |
| Rudaviro | 2012 | Sheer Sound SLCD 234 | |
| Dairai | 2009 | Sheer Sound | |
| Tsimba Itsoka | 2007 | Heads Up HUCD-3124 | |
| Wonai | 2006 | Sheer Sound SLCD 101 | CD |
| Nhava | 2005 | Heads Up HUCD 3102 (Telarc) | |
| Collection 1991 - 1997 | 2004 | Sheer Sound SLCD 076 | CD |
| Collection 1984 - 1991 | 2004 | Sheer Sound SLCD 075 | CD |
| Maungira: The Early Years | 2004 | Gallo CDGSP3064 | CD |
| The Other Side - Live in Basel 1994 | 2004 | Shava Music SHAVACD014-2 | Previously released on Jacarda (1995) |
| Tsivo (Revenge) | 2003 | Sheer Sound SLCD049 | |
| Greatest Hits: The Tuku Years 98-02 | 2003 | Sheer Sound SLCD035 | Also: ZMC TUKU008 |
| The Oliver Mtukudzi Collection: The Tuku Years | 2003 | Putumayo PUTU214-2 | CD, compilation |
| Shanda | 2002 | Sheer Sound SLCD031 | |
| Vunze Moto | 2002 | Putumayo CD PUT 199-2 | |
| Chinhambwe | 2001 | Tuku TKLCD21 | Re-release on CD |
| Svovi Yangu | 2001 | Tuku TKLCD18 | Re-release on CD |
| Neria Soundtrack | 2001 | Tuku TKLCD7 | Also Sheer Sound SLCD013 (2002) |
| Bvuma - Tolerance | 2001 | Tuku CD 004 | Also Sheer Sound SLCD006 (2002) |
| Paivepo | 2000 | Putumayo CD PUT 168-2 | |
| Tuku Music | 1999 | Putumayo CD PUT 152-2 | Also on Label Bleu/Indigo LBLC 2549 (1999) and Earthsongs ATLAS9004 |
| Dzangu Dziye | 1998 | Zimbabwe Music Corporation CD ZIL 314 | |
| Ndega Zvangu | 1998 | Shava Musik SHAVACD008-2 | |
| Ziwere MuKøbenhavn | 1994 | Shava Musik SHAVACD001-2 | Also Sheer Sound SLCD011 (2002) |
| Ivai Navo | 1994 | Sheer Sound SLCD 184 | |
| ... was my Child | 1993 | Tuku Music TKLCD14 | CD / LP / cassette |
| Rumbidzai Jehova | 1992 | Tuku Music TKLCD11 | CD |
| Rombe | 1992 | Tuku Music TKLP 10 | LP |
| Shoko | 1991 | Tuku Music OMCD 005 | Also Piranha PIR30-2 (2002) and Sheer Sound SLCD010 |
| Mutorwa | 1991 | Tuku Music TKLP 8 | Also Sheer Sound SLCD 230 (2012) |
| Kuvhaira | 1991 | Tuku Music TKLP 6 | LP / Cassette |
| Psss Psss Hallo! | 1990 | CSA Records CSLP 5005 | LP / Cassette |
| Chikonzi (Messenger!) | 1990 | Tuku Music TKLP 5 | LP / Cassette |
| Tuku Live at Sakubva Concert | 1989 | Tuku Music TKLP 4 | 2 LP |
| Grandpa Story | 1989 | Tuku Music TKLP 3 | LP |
| Nyanga Yenzou | 1988 | Tuku Music TKLP 2 | LP |
| Strange Isn't It? | 1988 | RTP Production / Tuku Music TKLP 1 | LP |
| Sugar Pie | 1988 | ZMC / Musi-Oa-Tunya ZIL 220 | LP |
| Wawona | 1987 | ZMC / Musi-Oa-Tunya ZIL 214 | LP |
| Zvauya Sei? | 1986 | ZMC ZIL 209 | LP |
| Gona | 1986 | Kudzanayi ZIL 205 | LP |
| Mhaka | 1985 | Kudzanayi BL 502 | LP |
| Hwema Handirase | 1984 | Kudzanayi BL 479 | LP |
| Nzara | 1983 | Kudzanayi BL 459 | LP |
| Oliver's Greatest Hits | 1983 | Kudzanayi BL 430 | LP |
| Please Ndapota | 1982 | Kudzanayi BL 409 | LP |
| Maungira | 1982 | Kudzanayi BL 354 | LP |
| Shanje | 1981 | Kudzanayi BL 304 | LP, originally title was plannned to be 'Pfambi' |
| Africa | 1980 | Kudzanayi BL 241 | LP |
| Muroyi Ndiani | 1980 | Kudzanayi BL 229 | LP |
| Chokwadi Chichabuda | 1979 | Kudzanayi BL 179 | LP |
| Ndipeiwo Zano | 1978 | Kudzanayi BL 151 | LP |
Sources
Diverses sources
[link to https://www.discogs.com...] [retrieved January 2024]
[link to https://www.herald.co.zw...] [retrieved January 2024]
Diverses sources
[link to https://www.discogs.com...] [retrieved January 2024]
[link to https://www.herald.co.zw...] [retrieved January 2024]
Page added June 2001, updated January 2024