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Senior Arts Reporter
Forward Mazuruse is a musician of many talents — he is a guitarist, composer, singer and producer — and above all, he has a passion to identify, teach and nurture musical talent.

He has been running a musical project as the founder and managing director of Music for Development Foundation, a grassroots talent development initiative where he is teaching upstarts the ropes in music.

Mazuruse has worked with some of the big names in local music as a guitarist, among them Fungisai Zvakavapano Mashavave, Frontline Kids and Progress Chipfumo.

Now, he has come up with a six track album which he predicts will be noticed locally, regionally and internationally upon its release within the next two months.

He posits that Covid-19 has pushed musicians into new spheres of creativity considering they had enough time under lockdown to reflect and come up with new and more entertaining projects.

He said his latest project will see him tackle various social issues through songs.

Mazuruse said his new music project was in its final stages and he will be releasing a single from the six-track album as an indicator of what is to come.

“With close to two decades in the music industry as a session musician, producer and musician in my own right, I can safely say I have a lot to offer musically and I just can’t wait to release the six track album,” he said.

“This new music project is coming after the realisation that we are starving the market of quality productions that speaks to various social issues and we have deliberately tackled various topics among them human relations, wildlife and environment conservation and issues of faith, to name a few.”

The album was co-produced by Mazuruse and Isheanopa Jere at Music for Development Foundation studios in Harare.

Mazuruse told The Herald Arts that music fans were in for a treat.

“I have so much faith in this project and I can assure you that the music will whet the appetite of music lovers, not just in Zimbabwe, but across Africa and the world,” he said.

“The thrust is not just to entertain, but demonstrate that as Zimbabweans we have the talent and pedigree to compete musically anywhere in the world.”

The project adds to a host of past productions by the songwriter and composer whose music has been used as theme melodies for various radio programmes and other community development initiatives.

“I have produced meaningful music in the past, some of which was used by HIV and Aids organisations in Zimbabwe as theme music for radio programmes and as promotional jingles for products,” said Mazuruse.

“I have also collaborated with Tanzanian songstress Betty Barongo on the song ‘Muneni Ukona Min’i and we shot the video in Zanzibar.

“The Swahili-Shona song did very well and got massive airplay on local radio stations and in Tanzania. We have also tried to factor in various languages in the new album and we hope that will help cater for various audiences.”

With the Covid-19 induced lockdown affecting the operations of various musicians, Mazuruse said he was grateful for the corporate support coming his way.

“With the new album, we have roped in the expertise of our brand management agency Esteem Communications to engage corporates for support,” he said.

“So far, we have signed a deal with local fashion house VIP Attire who are dressing us for the album related shoots and video production. Various other local and international partners have also come on board and we will be announcing them in due course.

“There is quite a symbiotic relationship between creatives and corporates and we are super excited to be tapping into that potential.”

Through his Music for Development Foundation, Mazuruse is also helping identify and nurture raw music talent and he recently got funding for solar power installation to his Southlea Park home so that he can nurture talent uninterrupted.

“I am in the final year of my music degree with Midlands State University and I am happy to be doing music in a structured way,” he said.

“Music for Development Foundation has, therefore, become a good vehicle for all our music related projects including talent development. We recently got funding to install a solar system at the home studio we set up in Southlea Park and I am happy that we are nurturing talent without fear of  power cuts.”

Mazuruse said he will make use of online music stores and streaming platforms and encouraged fellow musicians to go the same route.

“We are excited about this new project and we just can’t wait to release it. The single ‘Shamwari’ off the new album will be out this September complete with a supporting video followed by the full album in October or November.

“The music will be available on all online music stores and we hope fellow musicians also tap into this new way of doing business.”