THREE of Zimbabwe’s most talented artists — Sylent Nqo, Mary Anibal, and Nasibo — are poised to captivate global audiences on separate tours across three continents.
All three artists have a connection to the Harare chapter of Songs From A Room (Sofar), a global music platform of curators and artists who organise intimate live music shows in unique spaces.
With a worldwide network spanning over 400 cities, Sofar aims to promote artists and engage communities through music discovery.
The platform was established in London in 2009 and has featured more than 80 local artists, hosting concerts across Harare in 18 unique venues, including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Chapungu Sculpture Park, Prince Edward High School, First Floor Gallery Harare, as well as restaurants and private residences.
Sylent Nqo, who performed at the 17th edition of Sofar in Philadelphia, Borrowdale, has been confirmed for an Australian tour from May 2 to 24. He will perform solo in Townsville, Melbourne, and Sydney.
“I have more music coming out in the next couple of weeks and months,” he told IndependentXtra in an interview. “There are going to be so many releases.”
His latest single, Huya, was released on March 28. A love song inspired by Angola’s Kizomba genre, it showcases his evolving sound.
This September, he will take the stage with his band, The Noisemakers, at the 26th Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg (September 26-28).
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Mary Anibal, a two-time Sofar Harare performer, will tour Germany in June, with stops in Berlin, Cologne, Kronach, and Munich. She will appear at Afrikafestival, Afrikatage, Moto Moto Festival, and Shona Art, among other events.
“From heartfelt prayers to a dream come true, this European tour marks the beginning of an electrifying chapter in my journey as a solo artist,” she said.
“Sharing my music with the world fills me with joy, passion, and gratitude. This is just the start of something extraordinary.”
Her latest single, Bhonzo Muderere, is now available on all digital streaming platforms. She recently performed at Women In Concert Jazz, an all-female showcase in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nasibo left for Finland earlier this month, conducting music workshops at schools in Espoo, including the Sibelius Global Music Academy at the University of the Arts Helsinki.
On April 26, she performed at the 39th April Jazz Festival with the Finnish-Beninese Afrobeat and funk band Helsinki Cotonou Ensemble.
The charismatic singer, composer, and songwriter — who has also performed twice at Sofar Harare — is now in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, preparing to launch her new EP, Stop Over, today at Alliance Ethio-Française.
The project, a collaboration with Ethiopia-based French guitarist Raphael Joly, features six tracks in Shona, English, and French (including ‘Noyee comme un poisson’).
“We have been working on this for three years, and now it’s finally coming to light,” she said.
“Hopefully, we will launch it at Alliance Française de Harare later this year.”
Tomorrow, she performs at the International Art Day and Ethiopian Jazz Festival, held at the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences in Addis Ababa.
