By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Township jazz legend — Friday Mbirimi — who died aged 78 in Harare had a long battle with colon cancer, according to his nephew.
Tinashe Mbirimi said his uncle had been unwell for the past year where he was in and out hospital.
“It was only last week that he went for an operation at the Avenues Clinic but for some strange reasons his condition deteriorated further up until he breathed his last. He has been suffering from colon cancer the last 12 months,” he said.
Mbirimi who lost his wife in 2000 and is survived by his two children Tawanda and Tendai.
Mourners are gathered at Number 131 MtGomery Drive in Waterfalls, Harare.
In a statement, NACZ director Nicholas Moyo said the fraternity learnt with sadness news of the death of veteran musician Friday Mbirimi who was part of the legendary Afro Jazz group the Mbare Trio.
“NACZ would like to pass its deepest condolences to the Mbirimi family and the entire music fraternity following the sad loss of the seasoned educationist, songwriter, singer and bandleader.
“The death of Friday has robbed the nation of a well-loved musician who entertained the country for decades and performed alongside hundreds of local and international musicians. His wisdom and wise counsel will be missed by the scores of musicians who had an opportunity to work with him and jazz lovers who enjoyed his performances,” he said.
Friday started his singing career performing in schools in Harare with the likes of the late Simangaliso Tutani and other jazz musicians in the 1960s. He and his colleagues then formed their first band the Shelton Brothers which delivered hearty home-styled Zimbabwean Jazz music.
His illustrious career spanned decades in the local jazz circles and he was a member of various groups including the famous Harare Mambos band which boasted other artists like Elisha Josam, Clancy Mbirimi, Newman Chipeni, Newton Kanengoni, William Kashiri, Tanga wekwa Sando (Ernest Sando Kambadzu), Paul and Virginia Silla.
With his brother Lovejoy Mbirimi (late) and William Kashiri, they formed Mbare Trio which had hits like “Uru Rufaro” and “KwaMutare”. Friday was also a session musician who backed many musicians as part of Summer Breeze a local outfit that featured Friday as a vocalist and drummer, Faon ri Sumaili lead guitarist, Vincent Kapepa on bass and Moses Kabubi on keyboards.
As an educationist, Friday played a huge role in developing new musical talents as a lecturer at the Zimbabwe College of Music between 2004 and 2007. He had a long teaching career and was the first substantive headmaster of Epworth High School which was commissioned in 1981.
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