Afro-music legend Oliver Mtukudzi + Shingai Shoniwa to kick off HOZA 2012 gig at IndigO2

LONDON, 03/08/2012 – On the 17^th of August, the legendary ‘King of Zimbabwean music’ Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi will headline the HOZA 2012 music and cultural show at the IndigO2 which will showcase Southern Africa’s musical talent to the rest of the world during the London 2012 Olympics. He will be supported by two princesses of Afro-pop and jazz, Busi Ncube and Prudence Katomeni, respectively.

The show will also feature a guest performance by Shingai Shoniwa, lead vocalist and bassist of the hit-making English indie rock band The Noisettes. Shonhiwa, who is of Zimbabwean descent, needs no introduction to UK music fans and has been critically acclaimed for her vibrant live performances. Rolling Stone magazine has described her as “a living, breathing manifestation of the rock and roll spirit, with a voice that is equal parts Iggy Pop and Billie Holiday.”

Event organisers Base Africa said HOZA will be an annual event, profiling and showcasing the amazing array of music and culture from the Southern Africa sub-continent.

“For the first time in the UK, Hoza pays tribute to musical legend Oliver 'Tuku’ Mtukudzi with an evening of music, testimonies, memories and a celebration of his 57 albums,” Base Africa said.

“As the King of Zimbabwean music he will be supported by different generations of queens and princesses of Zimbabwean heritage to deliver a true taste of Southern Africa.”

With his trademark husky voice and acoustic guitar-based sound, the multiple award-winning Mtukudzi has become Zimbabwe’s most widely known and adored artist around the world. With more than 50 albums to his name and countless live international performances, Mtukudzi has recorded duets with some of the biggest names in African music, including the late Cape Verdean legend Cesaria Evora and Kenya’s Eric Wainaina.

‘Tuku’ is also a contributor to the Southern African super group Mahube, comprising such household names as South African saxophonist Steve Dyer and guitarist Louis Mhlanga.

Zimbabwean jazz songstress Prudence Katomeni is a shimmering well of talent who has been blessing the world with her art for many years. This energetic, sassy lady has mastered the various complexities of jazz, and injected it with her own vibrant style. Prudence has been touring extensively - she has performed at Molde Jazz Festival in Norway, Europe’s oldest, as well as various arts festivals and venues in Germany with a group called Wocalling, an ensemble of female artists from Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Norway, Israel, Canada and Germany. It is only fitting that this quintessential jazz crooner now comes to the UK.

Busi Ncube is a founder member of the multi-talented Zimbabwean Afro-fusion group Ilanga which played alongside such global stars as Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen and Sting at the 1988 Human Rights Now! concert in Harare. Busi, who sings in six different languages and has recorded 13 albums in her career, is currently based in the Norwegian capital Oslo. She last played in the UK at an Africa Day gig at Trafalgar Square in 2009 and HOZA 2012 is looking forward to welcoming her back to London.

HOZA 2012 will also support two charities with the Zimbabwean community both in the UK and Zimbabwe, Ponayi and Vimba Trust.

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Note to Editors:

1.      A detailed profile of Oliver Mtukudzi

2.      A sample video of Tuku’s music

3.      Profile of Prudence Katomeni

TICKETS from Available from

Note to Editors:

1.    A detailed profile of Oliver Mtukudzi

2.    A sample video of Tuku’s music

3.    Profile of Prudence Katomeni