Mtukudzi Fires band over Pay dispute

HARARE – ALL four members of Oliver Mtukudzi’s backing Black Spirits band were sacked after demanding more pay. Marimba prodigy Charles Chipanga and his backing vocalist wife Namatai, bass guitarist Never Mpofu and drummer Simba Dembedza wanted more pay but Mtukudzi was unwilling to meet their demands, sources said.A source revealed: “The four confronted Mtukudzi on various issues, including their working conditions but he essentially brushed them aside.“He reminded them that he was the best paying artist in Zimbabwe and left them with a clear impression that they could leave if they felt their labour would bring better yields elsewhere.

“The sour nature of the discussions was such that the relationship between Mtukudzi and the band broke down irreparably and they could not continue.” Mtukudzi’s last show with the quartet was at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex last Friday afternoon. President Robert Mugabe was in the audience for the first two songs before leaving.At a South African jazz festival over the weekend, Mtukudzi performed with a new backing line up made up of Enock Piroro (bass), Max Chiwara (lead guitar), Blessing Mparutsa (drums) and Strovers Strovers (percussions)Mtukudzi has not flinched in the past from changing his backing team.In 2007, he fired his manager Debbie Metcalfe and dropped six members of his band. Mpofu and former backing vocalist Piki Kasamba were the only survivors from that purge, although the latter quit two years later.Metcafle, credited with refocusing Mtukudzi’s career when taking over in the mid-1990s, told a newspaper on August 6 that she believed his brand had regressed since she left.Sam Mataure doubled-up as drummer and manager following her exit. She said: “Every manager has got their own strengths and weaknesses, so I really wouldn’t want to discredit the current management.“I feel, though, if I were still with Tuku at the moment there was a whole lot more I could have done.” But she added: “We are still friends with Tuku and there is no bad blood. The decision he made was professional and I respected it. “That is what he wanted and I respect him because that is what he wants.” Mtukudzi’s publicist Shepherd Mutamba said this week, “Should we have information of public interest on your specific inquiry, or any other issue for that matter, we will post it on our website www.tukumusik.com.”