SOLO ENCOUNTERS WITH DUDU MANHENGA

Discerning music-lovers
Are invited once again to experience
The third in a series
A new concept of music appreciation
An afro-jazz adventure
Stepping out in a new direction
Family fun outing
Intimate concert setting
Inimitable delivery
VOCAL PROWESS
Keeping it royal

DUDU MANHENGA is a dynamic young Zimbabwean singer/songwriter who leads and fronts the group 'Color Blu'. Her style is influenced by great African and jazz singers, and the dignity of her delivery is a credit to her and to her country, wherever she goes.

Her music has been accurately described as 'an afro jazz adventure' - a fusion of genres: afro, contemporary, Zimbabwe traditional, township, jazz, afro, Latino, and a cultural cross-breed of Zimbabwe's Manica, Mashona and Matabele rhythms and melodies, with energetic stage work, and sizzling vocals.

Performing professionally since the age of 16, Dudu emerged as a leader on the Zimbabwean music scene after long stints as backing vocalist for several top artists including Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits, Steve Dyer, Louis Mhlanga, Tanga Wekwa Sando and Dumi Ngulube, while studying at the Zimbabwe College of Music in Harare.

In 2001 she formed the group Color Blu, along with her husband and partner drummer Blessing Muparutsa. They recorded their debut nine-track afro jazz fusion album 'Out of the Blu' in 2003, which was warmly received by the music-loving public and contained songs which became hits like Mvura, Bengimthandile and Madlamini.

In 2007, Dudu and Color Blu released 'Jula' - a Ndebele word meaning 'depth', which aptly describes Dudu's musical journey, on which she has reached deep into herself to give her music an identity that is unique and distinctive.

In her own words, "The album is a synthesis of my experience so far in the music industry where I have grown from listening to various music genres, searching for my own space and identity in the industry and finally realizing my individuality – where I have come from, where I am going to and who I am."

The 11-song compilation album features wide ranging themes, variety and diversity, with tracks such as Kudala (Long Ago), Zvapressa, and Izithukuthuku, an artist’s plea against piracy which also features prominent Zimbabwean artists Chiwoniso Maraire and Victor Kunonga. Uyu Ndiani, a song taken from folklore, is a beautiful fusion of African folklore and jazz styles. Mama, which Dudu wrote as a young composer of 16, is a smooth mellow melody dedicated to her mother, sung straight from the heart.The album is accompanied by two touching videos – excellent productions done in collaboration with Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe.

In the seven years since their formation, the group has performed widely at clubs, cooperate gatherings and festivals in Zimbabwe (HIFA, Winter Jazz Festival, Regional Jazz Festival, African Banking Cooperation Summer Jazz Festival ) and South Africa(3 times at Grahamstown Arts Festival ,Women In Arts Festival), often sharing the stage with big names such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Dorothy Masuka, The Cool Crooners, Judith Sephuma, Ray Phiri, Jimmy Dludlu and the late Jabu Khanyile, among many, many others. To add on to this colourful profile the group has helped produce and record major musical projects in the country where Dudu has emerged as a creative director and producer. The productions include the Famba Zvakanaka (IOM safe journey campaign, Action Aid’s campaign against hunger) and many other up and coming artists.



Dudu is also active in music rights and anti-piracy issues, gender and anti-violence activities, and is a major contributor to the FLAME (Female Literary Arts Music Enterprise) programme, for the development and promotion of women artists into the mainstream of the arts, which is run by Harare-based arts organization Pamberi Trust. She has facilitated and participated in 16 workshops with FLAME, which have had topics 'Divas Deliberate' where the senior ladies in the industry met to discuss the problems they have faced in their careers, 'Workshops for Women Artists by Women Artists', 'No Sex Combatants' and 'Women Songwriting'.

Dudu currently assists the FLAME programme on a part-time basis to develop the programmes in collaboration with other established women artists, and has helped to present the '16 Days Concert' in Harare in 2007, commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women in collaboration with domestic violence organization Musasa Project. She is surely a young lady who has a passion for the development of the arts especially for the betterment of the female artists.

Dudu is also leading a team of women artists in spearheading an association for artists