Blantyre-based veteran musician Patrick Simakweli has written a book on the history of the country’s music titled Malawian Musicians: A Look at an Eventful History, Past and Present, following in the footprints of writers such as Scotland-based John Lwanda, who has also carved a book on the country’s music history.
However, Simakweli is yet to publish the book into paperback form due to what he described Tuesday as lack of funds but he has made a positive step by putting it online through Draft2 Digital.
“I would have loved to have it in paperback form but I do not have the money to do that now. I have tried but I have failed, hence going with the e-book for now,” the musician, who has starred with several musicians including Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire, said.
He said it is important for people to appreciate the history of music in the country to have an insight “into where we are coming from”.
“I started researching all this information 10 years ago and it has been edited by a number of players including Mr Sambalikagwa Mvona and Chanco Publications. I have been searching for funding for close to 12 years,” Simakweli, father to Zembani Band leader Sam Smack, said.
Simakweli was last year among 11 veteran musicians, over 50 years, who were honoured with certificates, cash and hampers by Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) Southern Chapter for their immense contribution to the creative industry.
Mvona, a former Malawi Writers Union president, Tuesday described the book as crucial as far as telling the country’s music history is concerned.
“It is a good book on the history of Malawi music from way back including the times of Sounds Pentagon, Kudya Resident Band, etc, to date. I was the first to arrange and edit it,” Mvona said.
