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Filda Muchabaiwa

Ruth Butaumocho : Acting Entertainment Editor

Contemporary musician Jean Masters has engaged former Jah Prayzah’s manager Filda Muchabaiwa as her supervisor, in a development that is set to transform her musical career. Known by many in the arts industry as Mama Fillo, Filda who is a seasoned manager is expected to revitalise the jazz crooner’s waning fortunes, which had taken a nosedive in the last few years.“I am now managing Jean and I believe I can contribute as much to her career. We have a lot of talented female musicians in the country, but they have been failing to reach the pinnacle because of lack of support and poor management.

“Being a woman, I believe I am in a position to assist the sisters and take them to another level,” she revealed in an interview yesterday.

Filda, who has hit the ground running, has organised a series of live shows for Jean Masters that will culminate in her album launch end of July.

Jean will hold her inaugural show under Filda’s management at Tanza Nite Club in Chitungwiza today before taking her act to Las Vegas Night Club in Southerton on Saturday evening. She will also host Thursday slots at Dandaro Inn at the Harare Showgrounds every Thursday.

Filda was Prayzah’s manager for nine years and is credited for propelling the talented artiste to stardom before the two had a fallout, which was later resolved amicably.

She also had a brief stint with contemporary musician Andy Muridzo, before leaving to concentrate fully on her non-governmental organisation Divine Mercy, which focuses on promoting the girl child.

Filda said while many musical fans might consider it as a sacrilege for a female musician to be managed by another woman, she said the arrangement works better because the two can relate on the same level.

“This is not my first time to work with Jean. I used to rope her in, whenever Jah Prayzah was holding shows.

“If anything, this is like a continuation of the work that I have been doing to promote female musicians. Jean has proved that she is talented, she just needs good management,” she said.

From a novice who started off as a mere backing vocalist for the late musician, Joe Masters, Jean’s profile has been on a pendulum, despite having proved to be competent judging by her live performances.

Born in Harare in 1988, Jean first started off as an urban groover in 2007, assisted by the likes of Culture T and DJ Berry. She later shifted her attention to the JM Seasons Band, a move that was initially met with resistance by her parents.

However, her persistence finally paid off, after her parents allowed her to practise with the band, having realised her passion for music.

Barely a year after trying her luck in music, she went on stage during the band’s many tours and fans immediately took a liking to her suave voice.

With two albums to her name, Jean has had her fair share of success and has to date collaborated with Oliver Mtukudzi on the song, “Misi Haifanane,” and Sulumane Chimbetu on the track “Chipo Changu” from her first album, Africa.

Her versatility in both instruments and lyrics is aptly captured in the song, “Thomson”, which he collaborated with Jah Prayzah from her debut album.