African Tenors Make Magic

How often have we heard parents talking about how a child was ‘an accident’, meaning it was an unplanned baby?  When the kid grows up to do exceptionally well that fact is forgotten and the child’s success is celebrated. Such was the provenance of the trio known as Thuba Lethu: 3 African Tenors who are slated to appear at this year’s Bush Fire Festival on August 2.

Their collaboration came from an impromptu jam in March  at the close of the ‘Nguva Yedu / Thuba Lethu / Our Time’ Youth Festival held by Pamberi Trust, in Harare Zimbabwe. After that performance Fall Madou of African Synergy christened them the 3 African Tenors but these are not your Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingos kind of tenors!

The three are Uganda’s Jose ‘Chameleone’, Zimbabwean Mike ‘Micinity’ Madamombe and ‘Bongo’ Riot Zungu of the critically-acclaimed South African trio ‘Gang of Instrumentals’.

If anyone should take credit for the birth of the 3 African Tenors it should be Micinity.  During his set, he invited the other two onto the stage and they gelled so well that they are now ready to reproduce that magical moment. But the self-effacing 26 year old credits destiny rather than himself,  “It was all the work of Jah,” he says. He also “bigs up” the Pamberi Trust people for realizing that what happened that evening at Book Café was special.

Influenced by yesteryear’s classic reggae artists, Mike Madamombe moved to Harare four years ago from a small Zimbabwean town to pursue what was already a fledgling music career. On arrival in Harare he quickly came to the attention of reggae afficianados because of his fine voice. Among those who saw his potential was Transit Crew, Zimbabwe’s pre-eminent reggae band. He left the band last year after being their lead vocalist for three years and struck out on his own.

He formed the group Micinity, whose reggae style is best described as cultural, lovers rock, conscious, and dancehall. His distinctive vocals have attracted a strong following evidenced by the packed house he plays to weekly at the Mannenberg in downtown Harare. Micinity was named for “Mic=Unity”, and it’s all about sharing the mic and working with other artists in the same genre. He always welcomes guest artists to “guest” at his performances. “I want to give other aspiring reggae singers a chance,” he explained.

Inviting Chameleone and Riot onto the stage was spontaneous. “I had seen these guys perform and decided to call them to join me and we just improvised.” The result detonated a response that even he had not anticipated. “It felt really good to see the crowd moving the way they did, it’s always special when what you give is reciprocated in that manner.” 

Jose Chameleone, born Joseph Mayanja, is known for his inspiring live performances, and is one of East Africa's most exciting artists.  He draws on Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and ragga for what is a very pan-African musical style.

Though still only 30 years old, Chameleone is already a veteran in the music business. His first album was released in Kenya in 1999. He is a member of the Musician's Community, a coalition of musicians who use their celebrity to help fight poverty and create HIV/AIDS awareness.

The third tenor is ‘Bongo Riot’ Zungu from the popular South African group Gang of Instrumentals. Zungu is an innovative musician with outstanding singing and rapping skills. He began his music career performing and gaining props in the rap circles of South Africa. He was instantly christened  ‘master chorus’ because of the catchy choruses he composed.

In 2006 Zungu left everyone else in his wake when he was crowned ‘Mzansi’s finest’ after duelling with other hip hop performers in the ‘Castle Lager Mzansi’s Finest Talent Search’.

He has also worked with some of the top names in the business in South Africa; Nemza from Skwatta Camp, Sliq Angel, Teargas and Native Record.   His style is described as “roots reggae, dance hall and rock with a flair that transports one’s ear to the beaches of Jamaica while reminding you of Africa.”

Bongo Riot is part of ‘Da Poor Man Movement’ a group of artists who stage free shows and invite people to donate food and clothing to help the needy. 

It’s early days yet but Micinity believes the 3 African Tenors could be at the start of an incredible journey. Join the ride and be part of those to witness the growth of this unplanned – but brilliant - child by catching them live at Bush Fire Festival 2009.