Gonora Sounds: Management Speaks on Dream Trip

Zim Now Writer

Daniel (L) and son Isaac (R) pose for a photograph with a fan in Milan, Italy

The management team of Daniel Gonora and his son, Isaac, have described the duo’s recent trip to Italy as fact-finding, ambassadorial and a mission well accomplished.

The Gonoras spent a week in Italy where they were invited to participate in the celebration of “The Gathering,” a musical production they did with a group of Italian musicians.

The festivities were held under the banner “Triennalemi Milano”, and had them performing with a whole orchestra composed, mainly, of the hosts. They were part of 160 other musicians from the world over.

Daniel and Isaac have collaborated with the likes of Vabati VaJehovha and their themes touch on social struggles and economic hardships as exhibited in their debut album, “Hard Times Never Kill.”

Born without sight, the elder Gonora (Daniel) once had a stint with the Jairos Jiri Band (once fronted by the late Paul Matavire) before deciding to form his own band that, for 20 years, entertained passersby in the streets of Harare CBD.

What makes the father and son musical ensemble special is that it was born from the streets of Harare where the father, Daniel, strum the guitar while the son, Isaac, rose from the tender age of four beating the drums. For more than 20 years, they survived on handouts from passersby who listened to them play. Until the big break that saw them get recognition and, subsequently, make the dream flight to Italy.

Rich Rombe, who manage the affairs of the band alluded to the fact that currently, all attention was on the Gonoras.

“I know people are interested in the intricacies of the Italian trip and what I could say is that what go them there is their enormous musical talent and skill.

“They represented the music of Zimbabwe well. No one saw Mr Gonora as a Zimbabwean busker, all they saw was his mastery of the guitar. They saw a maestro. Isaac was lauded for his skills on the drums by musicians far older than him,” said Amaru who is part of the Rich Rombe management team.

He said they will soon be hosting a home-coming show for the Gonora once arrangements for an ideal venue have been sealed. Part of the idea of doing this show is to showcase the Gonora family’s musical skills that are appreciated internationally to a local audience.

“Oftentimes, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. We hope that Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans across the world can finally appreciate all the talent in our midst and not just that of the Gonora family, but Zimbabwean talent in general. A lot of it is not in the local zeitgeist,” he said.

For being part of “The Gathering” Extended Play (EP), Daniel and Isaac were conferred with the Tenco Award. Their debut album “Hard Times Never Kill” has also been reviewed by many international magazines such as Uncut, Mojo, Songlines and New York Times, while tracks from it have been played on the BBC and other stations.

“We hope the Italian trip has opened the eyes of local audiences to the talent at hand. The journey for the family is just beginning and as a nation, what we can do is to push them forward. Come to think of it on this trip, people inquired about Zimbabwean music and we recommended them to different genres and musicians.