Tributes are pouring in for legendary bassist late Lester Mwathunga, who used to perform in the MBC Band during his foundational years, with artists of his era describing his passing as a great loss.
Music Crossroads Malawi, where he was a Board Member, through their Facebook Page, confirmed news of the passing of Mwathunga on Monday morning.
“He died while receiving medical help at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe. Burial will take place at Kawale in Lilongwe. Mr Mwathunga was not just our board member but a teacher, mentor and a music father. In him was the Malawi’s music library,” read part of the post.
Veteran producer Marvin Hanke, who worked with him while he was still at MBC Band, said Mwathunga, who would later play for the original Kalimba Band before moving to Makasu Band, is irreplaceable due to the talent that he had.
He singles out the rare skills he had in producing jazz chords, which Hanke affirms is not easy.
“He was an understanding person; as a musician he was very talented. He was able to play chords for jazz… It is a talent that is not easy to replace,” Hanke said.
(Above: Mwathunga performing live)
Ethnomusicologist and musician, Waliko Makhala, who also performed with the late Mwathunga at MBC Band, said he was struck by grief with the news.
“He was one of my mentors in music circles…someone who carried Malawian music to greater heights. We just perfomed together recently in Lilongwe at a concert named Jazz at Umodzi Park,” he said.
Makhala said Mwathunga was very good at arranging music and he is the main producer behind the Kokoliko ku Malawi album by MBC Band, a compilation of songs that went international.
“He worked together with Frank Dhlamini Kamwendo, the one who composed ‘Ukadya Wangu’ popularly known as ‘Sapato ja Skunara’ in the early 70s. After he left MBC Band, he closely worked with Bright ‘Livewire’ Nkhata at Makasu Band. Notably, he also played well with Owen Mbirizi with Jazz Cafe Band based in Lilongwe,” Makhala said.
Mwathunga was also at one point a member of Love Aquarius Band.
As can be observed in above, Mwathunga’s death has not only evoked nostalgic memories among many, but also left many with the unanswered big question: Who will fill in his shoes?
