CQ, Familia sweep Born & Bred Awards

As lead vocalist of the New York based multi cultural Jazz group Afroblue , Tutu together with Trevor Bridgewater were 1st Prize winners in the World Music Category at The USA Songwriting Competition in 1998. This was for the Bemba song Pelesa. In 1999, yet again Tutu and Afroblue were Grand Prize Winner in the 1999 Unisong International Music Contest this time for the song Neka, a Bemba adaptation of a song called “Trees”. Tutu has shared stage with greats such as modern jazz genius Ronny Jordan. Brokenhill caught up with Tutu at her base in New York soon after for an interesting Q&A.

BH: Everyone I know who knows of you simply calls you Tutu. What is your family name?

TUTU: I am a Tutani of the great Tutani clan that originally came from South Africa and then migrated to Zimbabwe and later to Zambia.

BH: When is your birthday and which schools did you attend?

TUTU: I celebrate my birthday on the 27th of November. I went to The Dominican Convent in Lusaka and Chilanga Primary School. After moving to the USA I attended- PS 125 in Queens, Newtown High School and Baruch College.

BH: Do you still have family in Zambia?

TUTU: Well most of my mother’s siblings and their children are overseas while my grandparents and the rest are still residing in Zambia. On my father’s side there are relatives in Zimbabwe as well as overseas.

BH: I believe your father was a professional musician -

TUTU: Indeed. My father is the late bassist/saxophonist Simangaliso Tutani. He was born in Zimbabwe and later became one of the founding members of the Broadway Quintet (*Eds note: y’all remember the Jazz band based in Lusaka between the early 60s to early 80s shown much on ZNBC - then known as ZBS TV). His mother was a singer too. My maternal grandparents were also musicians in their hey day so music definitely runs in the family.

BH: So when did you arrive in the US?

TUTU: I’ve been in the U.S. for over 10 years now.

BH: Initially how did you enter the music industry there?

TUTU: My first step into the music business in the States was at Baruch College. I sang in a Jazz workshop directed by the great bassist Milt Hinton.

BH: Do you play any musical instruments?

TUTU: I use the piano to write music but play percussion during live performances. I have recently picked up the guitar as well.

BH: The album Pelesa, which you performed on as a member of Afroblue contained a number of songs sung in Bemba. How were these songs generally received over there?

TUTU: Well, in a sit-down venue, the songs went over very well as the audiences got a full translation of the lyrics and had the opportunity to interact with the band and ask questions. At a dance gig on the other hand, the Kalindula/Jazzy rhythms tended to trip-up the audiences so we fell back to our more Soukous based songs. I must mention though that the traditional Bemba song Mayo Mayo was a hit with the audiences as it has a catchy little hook-which they could sing along to. Ultimately that’s the key to a successful song in any language.

BH: Which venues, cities and towns have you had the chance to perform in?

TUTU: Afroblue toured extensively during the release of Pelesa. We performed at many venues in New York City, Vermont, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Providence, to name a few. Here is a small list of some of the venues we played: Nells, SOB’s, Le Bar Bat, The Bayou, Gonzales y Gonzales (NYC, NY), Providence Water Front Festival (Providence, RI); The Iron Horse Music Hall (Northampton, MA) and many more.

BH: Are you considered a Jazz singer?

TUTU: I’m actually considered a Hip-hop singer. I’m doing something new though in that my influences are Jazz, World Music and Rock so you’ll hear elements of all those in my form of Hip hop.

BH: And what’s your most memorable/ special/ treasured moment during the time you were lead singer of Afroblue?

TUTU: My most treasured moment as lead singer of Afroblue, was my telephone interview (from NY) with Paul De Sousa on Radio Phoenix in Lusaka. It was wonderful to talk about the songs and the band and to have him air the music during the show. It was especially nice knowing that people who understood Bemba and Shona would be listening and would understand what I was singing about. You have to pay to get your music played (on radio) in the States so you can imagine how difficult it is to get on the radio when you’re not even singing all your songs in English!! I was indeed honored to have our CD programmed there.

BH: So what have you been up to of late… musically after Afroblue?

TUTU: In August of 2001 I performed at the JVC Jazz Festival at Battery Park - (Near the World Trade Center) with Blue Note recording artist Ronny Jordan. I have also just finished working on a record for MCA recording artist Pharoahe Monche (*Eds note: that’s the rapper who featured on Wycleff’s album The Eccleftic and the same artist who performed a song on the soundtrack of Training Day for which Denzel Washington received an Oscar Award recently). The record is slated for a Fall 2002 release.

Being the only African in Afroblue, the “World Music” thing came naturally to me. Similarly, because I’ve spent so much time in the States, the transition to working with Hip Hop artists has not been a difficult one. I’m still doing what I always did - Singing - the difference is that now I’m doing it in a much more popular setting.

BH: Worst job you ever had?

TUTU: I was in-between jobs so for some quick money, I took a job putting up Christmas lights and decorations in the streets of downtown Manhattan. Now imagine an African girl doing such a thing in the dead of Winter!!! It was absolute hell I tell you.

BH: Has the “African girl” visited Zambia of late and does she have plans to return to Zambia to settle one day?

TUTU: (Smile) Unfortunately due to the queasy $$ amount of a roundtrip plane ticket from NY, I have only been back home 3 times in the last ten years. As far as returning to Zambia to settle, I never discount the possibility of it. That is my foundation after all.

BH: Who was or is your favorite Zambian artist?

TUTU: The late Akim Simukonda

BH: And what is your favorite artist and album at present?

TUTU: The new Alanis Morissette record - Under Rug Swept.

BH: Are you married?

TUTU: I have a steady boyfriend.

BH: Okey what is the most special Valentine gesture ever done for you?

TUTU: It was this past Valentine’s Day. You see, eating to me is one of life’s most sensual pleasures, and my boyfriend just happens to be a fantastic cook. He made me an 8 course candle-lit dinner at home. It was an affair that lasted about 5 hours. An absolutely deliciously sinful feast!!

BH: Wow. Do tell what’s your favorite meal?

TUTU: Mmmm… Home based - I love ubwali ne-fisashi. It doesn’t matter what type of green vegetables but when you add those groundnuts… I’m in heaven!! Western Based - I love braised Duck in a maple syrup sauce. Killer!!

BH: Most recently read book?

TUTU: The Autobiography of Miles Davis.

Tutu is currently in the studio recording her solo project. She describes the process as much more challenging than when she was lead singer with Afroblue. According to Tutu this project is truly representative of who she is as an artist.

"I have found a wonderful place in my voice through Hip-hop and am looking forward to having the rest of the world discover it as well." Us too Tutu, us too…

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written by FUNGAI TUTANI, February 08, 2010

would really want to be in comms with. Your dad was my uncle

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Where is She Now?
written by David, April 11, 2007

Hi, I notice that this item was written in 2002. Do you know what Tutu is upto now and if she has done any more works?

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