Lion Paw making their mark

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday June 18, 2008 00:00

 

They have already staged shows in jazz venues around Gaborone. The new group is already in high demand.  Some of the places where they staged shows include the popular O'Hagans pub at Game City, Boatle jazz garden, and the Millennium Jazz Restaurant in Mogoditshane. Steve Raman of Satchmo's Jazz Cafe could not believe what he saw when he watched the band performing at the Millennium. He was so impressed that he booked them for his club where they stage shows on Thursdays and Sundays. They are expected to continue staging shows at Satchmo's on Thursdays and Sundays. However, last week they did not perform as the club was being renovated.

On Saturday, Lion Paw entertained guests at the Mascom Premier League prize awards presentation ceremony at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) at Grand Palm Hotel. The versatile group, which mostly dishes out cover versions, plays everything from mainstream to township jazz. They have also composed their songs even though they have not recorded. Recently when they performed at Satchmo's Jazz Cafe they showed the revellers what they have in store for them when they played one of their township jazz tracks, Majase (over coat). 

The manager of the group, Phemelo Moikabi, said it was formed in November last year.  Moikabi said he formed the group by bringing together different musicians from Zimbabwe. 'We came up with an outfit of five,' he said. The band comprises Killer Phiri (bass guitarist), Amistis Sibanda (drums), Herbert Ndlovu (sax), Julius Phiri (lead guitar), and Julius Mbewe (keyboard). The lead guitarist, Julius Phiri is a trooper in this field, who boasts of 36 years in the industry. He played for Bulawayo's jazz group, Jazz Impacto, which was led by Paul Lunga. Phiri was also a guitarist for popular Zimbabwean musician, Thomas Mapfumo, of the Chimurenga fame. Mapfumo, who is now based in United States of America (US), has always been Zimbabwe's mega star together with Oliver Mtukudzi.  Phiri was in the army for 23 years before he retired. When he was in the army, he was not beating up members of the opposition but he was concentrating on music. Phiri said most of his colleagues in the new band, used to play for the Zimbabwean army group, Jungle band.  He said they learnt about the trade when they were in the army. He added that in the army band, they played all types of music. The saxophonist, Ndlovu was with Phiri at the Jazz Impact, another Bulawayo group, which used to stage shows in Francistown. They have also played together in the army. 

The drummer, Sibanda has played for the defunct Bulawayo group, Over Drive and Jazz Impacto. All the members of Lion Paw, are doing music full-time. Phiri said people are responding positively to their music. He is optimistic that his group will make it. He revealed that they are almost through with their compositions. 'It is going to be a sizzling album,' he said. 

Moikabi, whose stage name is Chantty Killarh, is taking care of the sound engineering. He is also going to record the group at his Live Wire studios in Ramotswa. Moikabi said the 10-track album will be recorded in September. 

Moikabi said when the group was formed, initially they wanted to work as a backup band for different artistes irrespective of their music. He said the group is also working with him on his dance soul album, which will be entitled Women. Moikabi, a Rastman, respects women, which is why he is coming up with an album dedicated to them. 'Women give us love as our partners, mothers and friends,' he said.

They are also going to back another local artiste, Eureka on his Hip-hop album.