Creative sector mourns Lemekeza Phiri
Artists in the country have described the death of veteran producer and pianist Lemekeza Phiri as a blow to the creative industry.
Lemekeza died Monday in India, where he went to get medical attention.
His brother Jose said he will remember Lemekeza for his holistic approach to music and that his favourite genre was jazz.
“He ignited the love of jazz in me and he, together with my late mom, introduced me to piano at a tender age. I was proud of him as one of the finest musicians/producers and sound engineers of our generation,” Jose said.
Musicians Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango and Faith Mussa said Lemekeza helped a lot of musicians in the country and that his death was a big loss to the creative industry.
Ernest Ikwanga, who is now based in Switzerland, said he was shocked with news of Lemekeza’s death.
“Lemekeza was like a big brother to me; he guided my life and helped me a lot in my music. First he brought me into jazz music by inviting me to his/Dan Sibale’s band called Malingaka, this is where I learned deep jazz and, then, he brought me to Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire’s group as a guitarist where we recorded Wambali’s Liberty album in South Africa,” Ikwanga said.
The guitarist, said Lemekeza is the one who brought him into church life at Lilongwe Pentecost Church.
“I was introduced to church music by him. In short, his success was my success; I could use his gadgets for almost no pay. I recorded my last album Chisekese at his Nyanja Studio. I will remember him for his kindness and for changing Malawian music industry and bringing and providing good sound and lights,” he said.
Lake of Stars (LoS) Festival spokesperson and Head of Media Zilanie Gondwe said they have joined the Phiri families, the creative community and Malawi as a whole in mourning Lemekeza.
“We remember and honour Lemekeza as an integral and leading member of our Malawi sound team but also a premier musician and producer whose contribution to Malawi music will resonate forever.
“Lemekeza worked with so many greats, from Wambali to Lulu to Fortress and was the first world class audio and production engineer in Malawi,” Gondwe said.
Eunice Kadzuwa Mhango also recalled that she starred with Lemekeza during the first Mibawa Band, where he was the leader and keyboardist.
Born on June 5 1981, Lemekeza came from Senzani in Ntcheu. He is survived by a wife and two children.
