It was a great performance!
Afro-fusion, choral and urban sounds were served by Music Crossroads Zimbabwe’s elegant and talented Divas for the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA). The 15 members from an all-female ensemble thrilled fans and shone so bright that Mali, Habib Koité’s manager, invited them to play with the musician on the main stage.
Habib Koité is a solo singer, songwriter, and guitarist, based in Mali. He is known primarily for his unique approach to playing the guitar by tuning it on a pentatonic scale with an intimate and relaxed vocal style is, emphasizing calm, moody singing rather than operatic technical prowess.
Usually, only invited vocalists can play with the guitarist, but Koité made an exception and asked the whole ensemble to come on stage and they made us proud. The “Cigarette Abana” star performed 5 songs before introducing the Divas on stage and joined them in their performance of ‘Chikende”, an original piece composed by the ladies. After this performance, the ladies left the stage in euphoria. The same stage that night was shared by Zimbabwean legend Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and Kareyce Fotso from Cameroon.
The Music Crossroads Divas was founded by MCAZ female students earlier this year in celebration of #WomensMonth #BeBoldForChange and hosted the first-ever Divas’ Concert with an all-female ensemble performance which was attended by women’s organization representatives, students, parents, as well as guest artists and poets.
Our thanks go to Music Crossroads teachers who tutored and supported these ladies in this resounding showcase.
