Poor start for Tendai Dembo Tendai Dembo and his band on stage. - (Picture by Takawira “Photovet” Dapi)
Tendai Dembo and his band on stage. - (Picture by Takawira “Photovet” Dapi)

Tendai Dembo and his band on stage. – (Picture by Takawira “Photovet” Dapi)

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Tendai Dembo’s solo career got off to a poor start following a string of blunders at his debut album launch that was also meant to officially introduce him as the sole leader of Barura Express.
Tendai separated from his brother Morgan due to the latter’s indiscipline and the album launch that was held at Private Lounge on Wednesday was his first major event as a solo artiste.

However, lack of proper planning and mismanagement saw the launch, which was poorly attended, being a dull event.

Tendai arrived at the venue two hours late amid revelations that he was negotiating with his record company to get copies of the new album titled “Kupa Kwashe”.

Diamond Studios, the record company, said they had not printed CDs because they had not been notified about the launch on time.

They finally printed a few CDs for the launch.

After almost two hours of waiting, people got impatient and guest of honour at the event – Principal Director for Arts and Culture in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture Reverend Paul Damasane – had to engage Tendai’s management to solve the issue.

It took time after Damasane’s request for the musician to come for his launch.

Music promoters and officials from Diamond Studios did not attend the event.

“At first Diamond Studios had denied to release the album, saying they would not rush because the musician had not informed them about the launch.

“They later changed their mind after the intervention of a promoter and it explains why they did not even send an official.

“By 6pm (Wednesday) they were still finalising the CDs,” said a source.

Tendai arrived at the venue at about 9pm when the programme was supposed to start at 7pm.

In his speech, Reverend Damasane urged the musician to work hard.

“You should work hard in shaping your career. You should also work with fellow musicians, especially in fighting piracy,” he said.

Musician Kireni Zulu performed at the show while Extra Kwazvose, which was also billed to entertain the audience could not make it because their two guitarists, Noel Nyazanda and Tito Vhinyo were not present.

Musicians including Peter Moyo, Romeo Gasa, Franco Slomo, Howard Pinjisi, Zulu and Gift “Shiga Shiga” Katulika went on to perform a song together.

Tendai’s brother Morgan attended the launch and took a seat at the backstage for the brief moment that he was in the venue.

He left before the end of the launch.

Tendai said blunders at the launch were beyond his control. He also wondered why his brother had not participated in the proceedings when he had made an effort to attend the launch.

“I don’t have any problem with him and to be honest I don’t know why he decided to take the back bench on the launch,” said Tendai.

Tracks that are on Tendai’s new album include “Chinun’una Kura,” “Muzvara Kamwe,” “Nhamo,” “Jennifer” “Nherera Zvichengete” and the title track.

Last year Tendai and Morgan released an album titled “Kutsika Matsimba” but it failed to make an impact on the local market.

 

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