Giddes Chalamanda’ Coming to America fundraiser comes to Lilongwe
Fans in Lilongwe have a chance to enjoy veteran musician Giddes Chalamanda’s vibes when he performs at Sunbird Capital Hotel Saturday night.
The legendary musician will be performing in the capital city sharing the stage with youthful singer and guitarist Patience Namadingo and Edgar ndi Davis Band.
Dubbed ‘Giddes Coming to America project, this is a concert that is aimed at raising funds for the old-timer, whose dream of visiting United States of America is slowly turning into reality.
A group of young entrepreneurs led by Blantyre City Mayor Noel Chalamanda, decided to come together and honour the veteran musician whilst he was still alive.
“In most cases we honour our artists when they are dead but Giddes Chalamanda has entertained people for years and we thought of doing something for him and so realising his dream of visiting America was what we targeted,” said the group’s spokesperson Emmanuel Maliro.
Giddes in his song ‘Buffalo Soldier,’ which he composed long time ago said “if he had much money, he would go and see America.”
“This is a powerful song which people have enjoyed but then we have neglected the message therein. So as a group this message touched us and we thought we should do something, hence starting up the Giddes Coming to America project,” he said.
Maliro said the project was not only about the musician seeing America, but that he will have performances and also help raise funds for elderly people back home.
He said they were happy with the support they received during the Blantyre fundraiser which saw several people pledging their support towards the project.
“We just want to say thank you to people for the support and we are looking forward to more support and we urge them to patronise the Lilongwe concert,” he said.
During the Blantyre show, Mikes Trading proprietor Mike Chilewe donated an air ticket and some upkeep money while Mike Mlombwa of Countrywide Car Hire donated K1 million.
Giddes will perform in Washington DC on July 6 during Malawi’s Independence celebrations and he will also have two other shows in Indiana.
Edgar ndi Davis Band led by lawyers Davis Njobvu and Edgar Kachere, who have always supported Giddes, will join the veteran musician on the USA tour alongside Namadingo.
Njobvu has since said they are ready to entertain people in Lilongwe with their vibes including songs from their Energy Saver (Ntchito Zina) album.
Giddes, who is now 85, said he is growing old but he is still strong and that he will continue holding live performances with Edgar ndi Davis Band.
“I will continue entertaining Malawians with my music, at 85 years others are worried with my age but I am still strong and all I can say is that as long as I am alive I will continue to sing and perform,” said Giddes.
At 85, Giddes has defied the odds to give out his best during live performances and he has even showed his dancing antics.
Asked what has been his secret to be where he is today, the singer and guitarist, who has now restricted himself to singing than playing the guitar said it was all about being faithful.
“I praise God for the talent; I praise God for the gift of life. Again I am here because I have remained faithful which is something missing in the new generation,” said the old-timer.
On his prospects of releasing a new album, A Gide said he is not finished yet on dropping albums.
“I would like to thank Edgar Kachere and Davis Njobvu as well as the entire Edgar ndi Davis Band for holding me. They have been there for me. Again I would like to thank those who are supporting the Coming to America project, I can’t wait to see America,” said Giddes, who has also performed in Germany with Ben Mankhamba and Agorosso.
He composed the song ‘Liny,’ for his daughter ‘Liny,’ who admitted that the song played a bigger role in shaping her life to be where she is today.
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