Tuku lines up mega birthday bash

Music superstar Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi has lined up a series of monthly shows with different artistes as a build-up to a mega bash to mark his 65th birthday set for Pakare Paye Arts Centre on September 22.

The monthly celebratory concerts will begin on Saturday at Pakare Paye where Tuku will share the stage with his protégé Mbeu.

Tuku's manager, Sam Mataure, told the Daily News that they have decided to mark the music superstar's 65th birthday party in a special way.

"This weekend Tuku will share the stage with Mbeu who is a product of Pakare Paye Arts Centre. Next month on February 25 mudhara (Tuku) will perform alongside Jah Prayzah," he said.

Mataure, who also doubles up as Tuku's drummer, said the line-up of artistes to feature in the music superstar's monthly concerts "will be as inclusive as possible."

"It will feature both seasoned and upcoming artistes. We will ensure that both female and male artistes get the chance to share with mudhara Tuku. All these monthly concerts will be opened by Pakare Paye Arts Centre," he said.

Mataure was not prepared to divulge the names of artistes to perform at Tuku's mega birthday bash to be held in September.

"We can't release the names yet but I can assure you that the birthday bash will be a very big event. It will feature top local, regional and international artistes," he said.

Tuku's 60th birthday concert held at the Glamis Arena attracted over 15 000 music fans. The event was graced by South African artistes Ringo Madlingozi, Dorothy Masuka, Judith Sephuma and Steve Dyer as well as top local musicians who included Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Munya Mataruse, Tryson Chimbetu, Allan Chimbetu, Diana Samkange and Willom Tight.

The internationally-acclaimed artiste is likely to invite again the artistes who performed at his 60th birthday concert and his other singing friends like South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela, the Kenyan duo of Suzanna Awiyo and Eric Wainana, South Africa-based Zimbabwean songstress Berita Khumalo and Mozambican music star Stewart Sukuma.