Mr Entertainer applauded at birthday celebration gig
Musicians including giants Black Missionaries alongside Anthony Makondetsa, Soldier Lucius Banda and Mlaka Maliro took turns to praise veteran promoter Jai Banda, popularly known Mr Entertainer, for his immense support and contribution to the creative industry in the country at his 64th birthday celebration show at Motel Paradise in Blantyre.
“I met Jai in 1989 when I was 19 while in Alleluya Band and, that time, we performed at Auction Floors in Limbe and he told me that mfana ndiwe dolo ulimbikire kwambiri you have a future and, since that time, he has been a friend and supported us a lot,” Lucius said.
Lucius, who was later nicknamed Soldier by Mr Entertainer, who has also given names to several other artists, said Mr Entertainer loves music and has used his personal money as a lawyer to support the creative sector.
He then led the audience in singing a ‘happy birthday’ song to Mr Entertainer.
Soldier, who starred with his Zembani Band and at one-time with his son Mr Zembani, served a number of songs including his anthem ‘Nthawi’ and ‘Bisa’ and he jumped on stage during his collaboration with Sam Smack in the track ‘Ndakudikira’.
However, due to time constraints, Nepman did not feature.
The birthday celebration show, which attracted a huge audience that enjoyed music vibes from Friday through to early morning of Saturday, saw Mr Entertainer decorated with some gifts and also splashed with beer and other beverages when he was invited to the stage a number of times.
It was the first time the birthday celebration of Mr Entertainer was being held at Motel Paradise, a venue that has for years hosted several of Entertainers Promotions’ gigs.
The past years have seen a strict all-white birthday celebration but, this time around, people had to come in any attire but others decided to stick to white including musicians.
“I am short of words with the support I have received today and even before the show,” Mr Entertainer said.
His son Tonderai, who now leads Entertainers Promotions after taking over from his father, said people should brace for more events this year from Entertainers Promotions.
The show opened with performances of artists such as Khuza Rampi, Saul Chembezi and The Vibes and Mibawa Band before Soldier took over and then Mlaka, who at one time collaborated with his wife in the track ‘Kamandidutsadutsa’.
Makondetsa was next, warming up for Blacks, which performed for long, offering songs from their Kuimba albums.
