Zimpapers Logo

Hope Masike and Alexio Gwenzi-Copyright Academy

In Zimbabwe, music street slang, they call them “majazzman”.

These are session musicians, or even more specifically, session instrumentalists or vocalists.

They do not belong to any particular band, but play for other people’s bands.

When they play for too many bands then, they are called another music industry street lingo name — “band prostitute”.

This is because they have no fixed aboard, and when they are really good, popular and sought after, you will see them in nearly every band. Whatever name these types of musicians are called, derogatory or not, they are important. 

Firstly, they are usually extremely versatile because of skill gained from playing different music genres in different bands.

They will play to Sungura exceptionally, do the same with Mbira music, Reggae/Zim Dancehall, and Jazz among others.

Secondly, they are usually virtuosos on their instruments, also because of extensive skill earned from their varied exposure with different musicians.

MaJazzman are also important for every band because the day one band member fails to make it for a live performance, it is the session musician who will save the day.

One other very important role these musicians play is creating and adding their lines on many albums we listen to.

Many instrumental hooks we sing along to are the creation of little known band members or session musicians.

Numerous big names hire these session musicians to come play their instrument of expertise on their albums.

Unfortunately, sometimes, because they are a hired service that will be immediately paid after doing the job, they are not credited properly and even worse, do not own any part of the music rights to the track.

This is all well and fair, ordinarily.