Staff Writer
Ever wondered who the best bassist in Zimbabwe is, and looking for authoritative opinion on it?
If you respect Clive ‘Mono’ Mukundu’s judgment, then your answer is Josh Meck.
According to music producer and recording artist Mukundu, Meck is currently the best bass guitar player, but tends to be overlooked.
Mukundu said most music lovers are of the view that the best bassists are those whose music is
popular.
“It’s NO for me,” said Mukundu, famed for being the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi’s manager.
“The best musicians are the session musicians because they have the basics of all the music types. You give them a sound and they already know the notes and can play for you whether it’s jazz, sungura, reggae or calypso.
“I often tell people that Josh Meck is the best bassist at the moment and unfortunately most musicians wish what they know is the truth.”
Mukundu, who last week was attending a conference on music in Kingston, Jamaica, said most people concurred with him that session musicians were the best.
Mukundu has worked with some of the best musicians in the country including Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo.
Like Mukundu, Meck has worked with some of the country’s acclaimed artistes such as the late
Chiwoniso Maraire, Comrade Fatso and Victor Kunonga.
Meck has a career that stretches as far back as 2006 as a session musician and solo artiste.
His collaborations crossed Zimbabwean borders and have seen him work with renowned artistes such as Max Wild (United States), Mike Del Ferro (Netherlands), Nomsa Mazwai (South Africa), Steve Dyer (South Africa). He is the current bassist for MAHUBE project – a Southern Africa collective of artistes from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
In September 2014 Josh collaborated with Europe-based HAJA (Madagascar), a thrilling multi-instrumentalist who said: “Working with a skilful musician and above all, very nice human being such as Josh Meck is an honour and a memorable experience”.
He has played at the Harare International Festival of Arts for a record 10 times.
About Author
