Sounds of Malawi to celebrate Chechamba
Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session, driven by Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre, will Thursday celebrate fallen legendary musician Wyndham Chechamba.
Having made a short break due to Covid, Sounds of Malawi returned to the fold last Thursday featuring veteran singer and guitarist Snowden Ibu.
And, now, this week’s edition is dedicated to the life of Chechamba, who contributed immensely to the development of music in the country and art in general.
Chechamba, who mentored and trained lots of artists in the country through different platforms including his Chechamba School, died on August 27 2021.
Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session celebrates Chechamba’s life, having also hosted him in one of the sessions where he treated people to his jazz vibes backed by his sons.
The performances during the session will come from different artists who starred with Chechamba, and also learnt from him, including his son Ermine.
“I just want to thank JCC for organising the event. We miss our father and it is good to celebrate him through music which was his passion,” he said.
JCC Director Luc Deschamps said Chechamba was a prominent artist and saxophonist who, through his works, showed the authenticity of Malawian vibes.
“His music moved the souls of many and he inspired many and, so, through Sounds of Malawi Acoustic session where he also performed, we want to celebrate the life of this greatest man,” Deschamps said.
Chechamba was an encyclopedia of Malawi music and one of the country’s natural talents that lived music.
The renowned artists he trained include the late Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma, John Longwe who went to play with Hugh Masekela and the late Isaac Mkukupa.
Chechamba also pioneered traditional music with Kudya Resident Band in 1974.
He was born on May 5 1934 and grew up partly in Zimbabwe and Malawi.
