Oliver Mtukudzi, Living Tuku Music in Zimbabwe (Indiana University Press, 2016), a 304-page book by Jennifer W. Kyker, provides fascinating details about one of Zimbabwe’s most influential musicians.
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is an acclaimed Zimbabwean guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who has become well known in the world music circuit, performing throughout the globe. On Living Tuku Music, the author focuses on several essential elements connected to Oliver Mtukudzi and his songs.
The first part of the book concentrates on Mtukudzi’s beginnings and musical development. Mtukudzi is known for his combination of Zimbabwean traditional sounds with South African township music and African American gospel and soul. Many of his fans know this sound as a new genre called Tuku Music. Oliver Mtukudzi has released over 50 albums, including various international releases on different record labels.
Even though Oliver Mtukudzi has tried to stay away from direct political activism, he has promoted tolerance and has been a strong advocate for public health campaigns. The book dedicates a considerable section to the AIDs epidemic in Zimbabwe and how Mtukudzi wrote songs and toured promoting public health.
Living Tuku Music in Zimbabwe includes substantial interviews with family, friends, and members of Oliver Mtukudzi’s band.
Oliver Mtukudzi is still an essential figure in Zimbabwean music and Living Tuku Music in Zimbabwe describes the excited reactions of audiences outside Zimbabwe that include members of the Zimbabwean diaspora.
The author of the book is Jennifer W. Kyker, Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology at Eastman School of Music and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering at the University of Rochester, New York.
Oliver Mtukudzi, Living Tuku Music in Zimbabwe
Author: Jennifer W. Kyker
Series: African Expressive Cultures
ISBN: 978-0-253-02231-8
Buy Oliver Mtukudzi, Living Tuku Music in Zimbabwe
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
