Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi to Grace Blankets and Wine in December

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The fifth and final Blankets and Wine Festival scheduled for Sunday 8^th December, 2013 at the Museum Grounds is set to be a thrilling display of musical prowess as Zimbabwean guitarist, vocalist, performer and composer, Oliver Mtukudzi takes the stage for the third time in Uganda.

Oliver, who is one of the few people in the world to have a beat named after him, ‘tuku’ which comes from a blend of Zimbabwean ‘Mbira’ with the faster Zulu township ‘Mbaqanga’ beats will perform alongside Uganda’s best afro-pop musicians, Maurice Kirya, Naava Grey and Milege Band.

Tusker Lite, which has been at the forefront in promoting Afro-fusion music, will again bring the finest talent to Uganda during December’s Blankets and Wine, which is the premier Afro-based music festival in East Africa designed to showcase genres of Afro-fusion music. 

Described as a the most recognized voice to emerge from Zimbabwe, Oliver Mtukudzi first recorded in the 1970’s when Zimbabwe was still known as Rhodesia with the Wagon Wheels Band. He later started his own group, Black Spirits, with whom he still plays and has released over 30 full-length albums and several compilations.

With his husky voice, the songwriter and guitarist, that is well-known for his graceful onstage dance moves has become an icon in Africa and the international scene.

Speaking during his unveiling, Tusker Lite Brand Manager, Harry Mwanje said that Oliver Mtukudzi is a legendary musician and it’s the reason they are bringing him to Uganda.

Added Harry, “One thing that makes Oliver Mtukudzi stand out is his music background with a his unique beat that he uses frequently to tackles social issues, particularly poverty and the AIDS epidemic that is responsible for so much misery in Africa”.

A quarterly, picnic style music festival, Blankets and Wine is sponsored by Tusker Lite and it provides a platform for Tusker Lite to show appreciation to consumers by showing casing the Afro fusion genre of music and in LIVE performances by a wide array of artists.

“This is a new concept for Afro-fusion music lovers in Uganda where they are always encouraged to drive down to the venue with a Maasai shuka, blanket or kikoys, a picnic chair, some Tusker Lite, a picnic basket and their preferred company then proceed to share in this music and lifestyle experience”, said Harry Mwanje.

The fifth edition of Blankets and Wine Kampala will be held on Sunday, 8^th December 2013 at the Uganda Museum Grounds starting at 1:00pm. Advance tickets for the event will be selling at UGX 50 000. On the event day, revelers will pay with UGX 70,000 at the gate. Tickets are available at all Uganda Wines and Spirits Distributors retail stores and The Hub Oasis Mall.

In line with its support for responsible drinking, Tusker Lite will be maintaining a strict ‘over 18 only’ policy for sale of alcohol.

About Oliver Mtukudzi

liver started out as a professional musician when he joined the Wagon Wheels in 1977. Now, along with his own band The Black Spirits, his appealing voice, captivating guitar rhythms and superb dance moves make his live performances really fantastic to experience. Mtukudzi sings in Shona interspersed with a bit of English, and the lyrics often have special or hidden messages. Many of his songs give advice on life.

Oliver sings accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, without his band, because of the tragic deaths of his brother, keyboard player Robert, guitarist Job Muteswa, and drummer Sam Mutowa and he dedicates his earlier albums to them.  As well as performing and recording music Mtukudzi has starred in 2 major Zimbabwean movies, Jit (1990) and Neria (1991) and there are soundtrack CDs of both of these. He has also written a musical about Zimbabwe’s street children. Over the last 5 years Tuku’s music has deservedly made a significant impact on the world-wide music scene.

He has won numerous awards and has featured in many TV programmes and prestigious magazines, for example Time Africa’s article entitled ‘The People’s Voice’ together with his picture on the front cover. In the 2003 Kora Awards Tuku won not only the Best Male Artist: Southern Africa Award but also the Lifetime Achievement Award.