October 5, the big day for Devera Ngwena family

DEVERA Ngwena Jazz Band, Zimbabwe’s finest fast beat ensemble ever to come out of Zimbabwe from 1979 is back with a bang. The band is set to unveil its latest offering, Devera Ngwena Vol 45 – Case Closed on October 5 this year.

The outfit that is a household in Southern Africa is under the leadership of Jonah Moyo, one of Zimbabwe’s living legends in the music industry.

Vol 45 consists of eight Tsava Tsava beat tracks namely Hwaive Huchi, Wauya Mumakore, Case Closed, Nharo nezvine nharo, Forbidden Fruit, Pengera Kwawabva, Wenge ndiWanga and Sold Extended.

The album is set to be launched at Sherwood Golf Club, Malbelreign in Harare. Jonah Moyo shall be supported by his own son, Sheperd Moyo as well as living legendary sungura godfather Nicholas Zacharia, Simon Mutambi, dendera kingpin Allan Chimbetu and marabi jazz strongman, Kireni Zulu. Revellers are expected to part with US$5 as entrance fee per head.

Jonah Moyo discovered his love for music in Gweru at a farm, where he had gone to search for greener pastures after he left school in 1971. He was introduced to a band that used to play at Garandichauya Beer Hall in Mbizo Township.

He went to form Devera Ngwena Jazz Band at Gaths Mine in Mashava when he responded to an advert by the mine to have a band in 1977.

The band had their first single named “Devera Ngwena Zhimozhi” released in 1979.

Several hits like “Barbra,” “Marondera,” “Solo naMutsai,” “Grema wepamoyo,” “Fundisa Umlomo wakho,” “Wangu P,” “Wakandicheka nerakahomara,” “Too Cheap,” “Svika Fair Fair” and others followed.

The first line up of Devera Ngwena that recorded Devera Ngwena Volume 1 were Jonah Moyo on lead guitar, the late Robson Banda on bass, Innocent Bitu on rhythm, the late Patrick Kabanda on drums and Johnsai Machinya on vocals.

When Robson Banda left Devera Ngwena, he was replaced by a Hilliot Vhizhayi who also left before the late Jabulani Bitu joined them on rhythm on Volume 2.