THE MUSICAL JOURNEY
“I feel my musical journey started from the time I was born in Zimbabwe, from the time I opened my eyes and is going to continue on as long as I’m around and beyond. I was born into a very musical family. We all sang at church. My mum was a gospel choir leader and we have never stopped the music. My musical career has developed in different stages where I have rediscovered myself and moved on to the next level. With time, maturity and experience, the things you want to sing about change. The environment and the people around you have a great influence on this.”
“I was always involved in music and bands but as a student in England I had my first really serious musical experience in the band “Matonto” with my brother who really opened my eyes to writing and performing. I say with true conviction “music is my life, my life is music”.

THE “CHRIS GUDU” STYLE OF MUSIC
“My style of music is based on the Southern African “Township Jive Music”. Having been born and brought up in Zimbabwe, It’s a fusion of Zimbabwean groove and Southern African groove. I have been playing a lot of Zimbabwean music since I was a youngster and I grew up listening to some of the best Umbaqanga “Township Jive” artists. This particular music is really free-spirited and originates from the streets and shebeens of Soweto and has spread across Southern Africa. It’s a neighbourhood thing; exuberant and vibrant!”

“I think I’ve developed a distinctive sound. I like to listen to lots of different artists from Africa and other parts of the world and to incorporate different sounds in my music. I was listening to a Taiwanese pop singer the other day, Richie Ren and I really thought I felt African elements in his music!  I think I’m a world musician and I enjoy my music crossing boundaries and cultures.”

ON BEING INSPIRED
“So much great music! Music from home- Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Don Gumbo, The Four Brothers, Sankomota, Youssou Ndour, and Femi Kuti. I don’t get too focused or engrossed on just one artist or style. I have a really broad interest which drives my inspiration: Blues, jazz, funk and country music and artists like Louis Armstrong, Robert Cray, Keb Mo and Taj Mahal. There’s no beginning and no end. I didn’t invent music and I don’t imitate style, I allow it to evolve in a positive way, developing a musical maturity. Although the rhythmic and music message has always been strong and meaningful in my work, the lyrical message has really become more powerful. My latest album, Bavimbeni has a real balance between the rhythm and lyrics. Each song carries a strong message and special meaning. This album is so important to me. I feel I have something to say. I sing in my native language, but inside the cover the feeling and the meaning of each song is explained so that the listener can really gain an access to it.”          More...