Veteran Musician Lucius Banda has expressed shock over the death of the legendary jazz musician Oliver Mtukudzi.
Zimbabwean musician died Wednesday at the Avenues Clinic in Harare after battling with diabetes for over a month.
Writing on his official facebook page, Banda who is also Member of Parliament for Balaka North said Mtukudzi’s death is a big brawl to African music.
“African music, especially within SADC is in danger…The custodian has slept,I cry for the big brother…Rest in peace Oliver,” wrote Banda.
Mtukudzi came to prominence in the 1970s as one of voices of the revolution fighting white-minority rule.
His lyrics often carried social messages about HIV/Aids and coded political commentary.
His 2001 song Wasakara, meaning “You Are Too Old”, was banned as it was seen as a reference to leader Robert Mugabe, who was ousted 16 years later aged 93.
The singer and guitarist mixed several different styles to create his own distinctive Afro-jazz sound, known to his fans as “Tuku Music”.
In a long career he released 67 albums and toured the world.
