The Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) says its members have the potential to provide adequate live entertainment during the United Nations World Tourism Organization conference (UNWTO) in Livingstone next year.
Speaking to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in a phone interview in Lusaka yesterday, ZAM President Maiko Zulu said Zambian musicians have however been disadvantaged to play live music due to lack of instruments.
He explained that musicians are able to play live music if only musical instruments are made available to the artists.
Mr Zulu said most of the Zambian musicians do not have music equipment to use in playing live performances.
He told ZANIS that most of the musicians have failed to purchase musical instruments as they are costly.
The ZAM president said the tax concession on music instruments was only waved on mixers and microphones excluding other music component such as drums.
Mr Zulu disclosed that no Zambian musician has musical instruments to play live music performance.
Mr Zulu regretted that most Zambian musicians have not invested in procuring musical instruments to use for live performances.
He urged musicians to take advantage of the UNWTO and show case how artistic Zambian musician are by performing live performances.
Meanwhile, Mr Zulu says ZAM has started compelling music that will be used during the hosting of the UNWTO.
ZANIS
Well this is true  i wonder if government even has PA equipment.
i cant agree with maiko that zambian musicians can play musical instruments. They cant. They depend so much on computers. Instruments are available everywhere in zambia. All they need to do is form bands like it was in the past and look for a manager. Thats all that is needed. Go to churches you will find well organised praise teams and bands. Ask from there and they will tell you how to buy musical instruments.
Perhaps the churches can afford the instruments but at no point in the history of Zambia has it been easy for a musician to own an instrument. PA’s can always be hired but just the basic instrument of choice can be well beyond the means of the average musician. Look beyond the success story to the vast majority across the country as a whole. One could get a cheap option but at pro level it is actually a hinderance when it is not designed to produce a quality sound. As for backline and accessories…
This is 2012. Technology is a part of the dna of music development. The difference is knowing how to use it to enhance the technical aspects and improve delivery of audio/visual/lighting concert with the ability to sync multiple platforms. The success of Zairean, West African, South African, North African music forms is correlated to their investment in the arts, equipment, technology and tour support. The weaknesses we have lie in translating ideas in to good global productions, transferring studio sessions to live performance tours. Different skill sets. Some can do it. Others cannot. The admin, legal and management also need revision.
Maiko is right to a point. Equipment has never been in the hands of musicians but in the hands of venue owners, managers and the lucky few. It’s like being expected to win Wimbledon without ever owning a tennis racquet and only getting to play tennis when there is a competition. Practice makes perfect. Make instruments widely accessible. Please be realistic though about who can perform live at international level. Better a few good choices than many mediocre displays. And combine art forms to build a better show. It’s time to team up if you want the best display. Which means putting egos aside for the greater good.
we only have maureen lilanda and sakala brothers that churn of african tunes
Nothing beats the chemistry of live music Ba Micheal…spot on mudala…
This is the problem of some Zambian musicians, just complaining. What about in Kinshasa for example, do you think the instruments there are somehow “provided to musicians” before they can think about playing? To be a musician is hard work man, just like any job. Nobody is going to come and “give you”
The reporter makes the same point for seven paragraphs! There is noone to teach our journalists how to write. I guess this is the same problem we have with musicians failing to play instruments
Too much Bling- bling  and forgetting to purchase the tools of his trade, what kind of musicians are you? These people should stay away before they showcase Zambia as a national of copycats. Groups like Mayenge and Mulemena boys used to do it, but these guys of today all they do is complain. We don’t have equipment, they are bringing outsiders to perform here in Zambia, start buying equipment and stop lip syncing at concerts!Â
These guys would buy a Range Rover or Hammer as opposed to instruments. By the way people around the world have stopped buying hammers so they will be dumped in Africa. This is a problem with every Zambian. No mind for investment, over spending on luxury and always blaming the gorvernment. Everytime I hear Micheal Zulu speak he is complaining and giving excuses. Last time he was complaining at Halubusu’s funeral that gorvernment did not send any representative. I do not think they found it neccesary. You must understand that music is an industry capably of funding itself.
lazy zambian misicians….danny kaya has a band and only plays live music, why cant JK or MC buy instruments instead of just suits and flashy cars? they just dont have priorities period.
Leuk! Ik had um net even gelezen, tof dat ze dat ze menesn interviewen op DaWanda, goed om de makers van de spulletjes beter te leren kennen! ^_^ Vind het ook leuk dat ik nu meer weet over jouw creatieve proces en hoe dus iets tot stand komt bij jou.