WITH many a pocket having been shattered during the festive season and revellers taking stock, entertainers are taking a deserved break.
January is typically a slow month for entertainers especially musicians as live shows do not attract huge crowds.
Undoubtedly the festive season is the busiest time for musicians that perform through Christmas and into the New Year.
Having spent time away from their families during the holidays and throughout the year, the beginning of the year has become a period artistes spend quality time with their loved ones and recharge as well as create their programmes.
For Sungura maestro Alick Macheso, it is time for the band and himself to take a break from a punishing schedule.
The popular musician spends most of the year on the road with shows across the country and abroad.
And it will be a deserved break for Baba Sharo, as the musician is popularly known by his legion of fans, especially after the misfortunes that he met both on the business and personal fronts.
The maestro besides ‘battling’ on the stage in 2014 found himself in the courts of law in a brutal and nasty divorce case with his second wife Fortunate ‘Tafadzwa’ Mapako.
The toll was evident on the star that at one stage he begged the media to let him be citing that there were many others facing similar challenges.
Macheso even failed to deliver a new album during the tumultuous year despite promising he would do so in December.
One hopes that the break will revitalise the outfit that has faced stiff competition from the likes of Jah Prayzah and Sulumani Chimbetu who late last year unleashed an album that is presently doing well.
Orchestra Mberikwazvo manager, William Tsandukwa said
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the band has been on break since the first of January.
“We are already on break and we will resume duty at the end of the month,” he said.
“Band members are taking the opportunity to concentrate on other things and right now I am busy and enjoying farming.”
Tsandukwa said Macheso had not planned anything fancy for his break, but was refuelling at home with his family.
Heir to Utakataka Express, Peter Moyo, is taking a two-week break.
He plans to be far away from the microphone and guitar and concentrate on pressing issues on the home front.
On the demise of his legendary father Tongai Moyo, Peter became the breadwinner of the family looking after his grandmother and siblings whom he pays education fees for.
“I am on break for two weeks only and one of the things I will be doing during this period is spend time at my poultry project,” said Moyo.
Popular Sungura artist, Somandla ‘Mafia’ Ndebele will be taking a two-week break, but just from live shows as he will be working on his new album.
“I am already on a two-week break, but it’s just rest from live shows as I am using the time to rehearse and work on a new album that I expect to release mid-year,” he said.
Artistes in the Zim-dancehall genre have also been active and the most popular of them, Obey Makamure better known as Tocky Vibes will be taking time off the stage.
Speaking to Patriot Arts, Tocky Vibes’ manager, Elvis Bokosha, said the artist would resume business mid-January.
However, Bokosha said Tocky is ready to cut short his break if called to perform.
While a number of artistes are on break, pausing for breath is not an option for the talented crooner, Mukudzei Mukombe, popularly known as Jah Prayzah.
The ‘Kumbumura Mhute’ hit maker who hails from Uzumba, said he is not stopping as he feels that his fans need him all year round and is not prepared to disappoint them.
“There is no break for me and my band as we are continuing with shows,” he said.
“I am in the industry to entertain my fans therefore I will always provide that entertainment as long as I am fit to do so.”
For renowned music promoter Partson Chimboza, professionally known as Chipaz, there is no break at all for Chipaz Promotions since they are working with some artistes that do not go for a break.
January is also a month that sees many Christian activities such as conferences and conventions which bring brisk business for gospel artistes.
Gospel musician Blessing Shumba said this was a crucial time for artistes in the genre to shine.
“January is a month that sees gospel musicians being called to grace events at different churches,” he said.
“As fellow musicians from other genres will be taking a break, for us, it will be a busy schedule spreading the word through music.