HARARE - The d-day musical extravaganza featuring superstar musician Oliver Mtukudzi, Suluman Chimbetu, Fungisai Mashavave-Zvakavapano and Munya Mataure roars into life tonight at Harare’s City Sports Centre.

The musical showcase is an all-night gig and  is expected to end tomorrow morning at the break of day.

Mtukudzi aka Tuku will lead the four musical acts as they share the stage to entertain audiences in what has been dubbed as the 2012 gig opener on the music calendar.

With a musical career spanning decades, Tuku has not shown any signs of slowing down and like old wine his stage performance seems to get better and tighter.

It will be interesting to see how Tuku will fare against the youthful music acts comprising of Suluman, Fungisai and Mataure.

Tuku will return to City Sports Centre after performing there last year during the Jazz 105 co-ordinated Jazz Festival where he thrilled his legion of fans.

Tuku’s publicist, Shepard Mutamba said the superstar always gave his best at any concert he was billed to take part.

“Tuku has shown consistency in all his live show performances and he gives the best. Last year he dazzled fans throughout the country and this year he has promised to deliver more.

“He is the grandmaster when it comes to surprises and many who saw him perform last year will testify this,” said Mutamba.

He said Tuku Music, owned by Mtukudzi was showing the way in youth artistic development as shown by Munya’s sudden rise.

“Today Munya will share the stage with quite an impressive line-up and he is sure to measure up. He is growing and fast catching up. His debut album has surprised many,” said Mutamba.

Munya, a Mtukudzi understudy, will be out there to enjoy his newly-found fame as he mixes with the cream of Zimbabwean showbiz.

His guitar performance, which follows on Tuku’s mastery technique, has seen the young musician sharing the stage with high profile music acts.

Tuku has also made sure that whenever he is invited for performances, he negotiates for the young guitarist. And it has worked wonders.

Gospel diva Fungisai will be among the highlights at the musical showcase as she navigates her new found territory among the finest live performers in Zimbabwe at the moment.

The gospel diva has many favourites and the audience is set to take many down memory lane with her yesteryear hits.

And the star seems to be shinning on Fungisai who has been doing wonders recently by performing in once reserved venues for secular music acts.

She has entertained audiences at Jazz 105 and revellers have fallen to her grace and stage presence.

Tonight’s gig will be a big test for the gospel diva as it will also bring her closer to Mtukudzi and Suluman’s legion of fans, most of whom are secular.

Fungisai is enjoying her new found ground and believes it is her right to perform anywhere where she feels comfortable.

She has been a regular performer at national galas, pitting herself to secular musicians and even outshining others.

Suluman will be out to prove that he still possesses the dendera spirit as he battles accusations that he “stole” Alick Macheso’s band members.

Audiences would be eager to see for themselves what the “stolen” members brought to the dendera king’s castle.
Tonight’s gig is being co-ordinated by Harare’s Jazz 105 club.

Josh Hozheri, Jazz 105 director said he was impressed with the progress towards the showcase thus far.

“We are ready for the big day. It is our hope that as we move towards the year we would put more of such collaborative musical showcases that will blend the old and young.

“In so doing, we are showcasing young talent to wider audiences. There is no better way to market these young groups than through such packages.”