The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sunday Leisure Correspondent
WHEN Afro-jazz artiste Jeys Marabini decided to embark on a solo career in 2002, he named his backing band “Kozekulunge”, a SiNdebele word which, if loosely translated, means it shall be well.The name seems to have been apt, for the journey he and his backing act undertook in the music industry has not been an easy one. It has been a long and strenuous road although it seems they are now realising the fruits of their hard work and commitment.
While they came on the music scene in 2002 with a bang as the title track from his first album, “Emarabini” became a hit, winning the hearts of many music lovers and the video of the song became a constant feature on the popular local TV music programme, Ezomgido.
The video’s popularity saw Jeys bagging his first of three National Arts Merit Awards he has won so far in his career.
However, as the years progressed they found the going tough, despite being lauded as one of the best musicians to emerge from Bulawayo and Matabeleland. Jeys Marabini, born Majahodwa Ndlovu, like other musicians from the region complained of being sidelined. They said their tracks were getting little in terms of airplay on radio stations.
Jeys did not give up despite obstacles he encountered on his road but held on and kept making efforts to widen his horizon while keeping his fans happy with releases that include Thuthukani Ngothando, Sounds of Today and Tomorrow, 1Time, Izenzo and Jeys at 40.
Success might be starting to knock on Jeys’ door with his breakthrough tour to Austria that kicks off tomorrow and runs until mid-July.
“I gave the band that name as a way of encouraging it not to lose hope no matter the circumstances we may find ourselves in. I knew the road would not be easy but I am glad we have held on, njalo sekulunga (it is getting well),” he said.
Jeys left on Thursday morning with five members of his band, Mzingaye Ndlela (percussion), Mthabisi Moyo (lead guitar and second acoustic), Dumisani Nkomo (vocals), Kelvin Ndlovu (bass guitar) and Trevor Mnaphi (drums) heading for South Africa, where they caught a flight to the European country yesterday and are expected to arrive in Vienna today.
While Jeys has been a regular visitor to Austria, performing in that country for the past two years, his current tour is different in that he travelled with his full backing band.
He said while he had been happy to travel to the European country over the past two consecutive years, there was always a nagging feeling because he had left his band members back home.
“In 2012 I travelled to Austria alone and last year I took Moyo along with me and this year my dreams have finally come to fruition. I am going with the full band.
“Touring alone over the past two years felt like I was enjoying the success of the group alone, when we had all equally worked hard to get the band where it is today,” he said in an interview before departing for Johannesburg.
According to a schedule on the 10th District Music website, Jeys’ tour begins tomorrow with a workshop and a concert with students at VS Haibach and Pfarrheim Rohrbach. On Tuesday they are at Feldkirchen and Arnreith, while on Wednesday they conduct a workshop and an unplugged concert for students in HS Rohrbach before playing at an evening concert in ARENA Aigen.
The band will also be part of the performers at the Chiala Africa Festival in Graz on Friday and on 12 July they will be at the Kusumama Africa Festival in Moorbach Harbach.
Jeys said the highlight of the tour would be performing at Zimbabwe Night in Djungel Wien, Vienna, together with Insingizi and Iyasa.
“It is an opportunity for us to showcase our culture from Matabeleland on the night and music lovers will get a taste of what Zimbabwe has to offer in terms of the arts because of the diverse genres that will be performed on the night,” he said.
Jeys said they would be looking at opportunities to perform in other European countries during their tour.
“Hopefully this is the beginning of the success that we have been working so hard for,” he said. Only time will tell whether this is the start of things being well (sekulunga) for Jeys and Kozekulunge.
