Patrick Simakweli, The jazz master

In every well profiled musical history of Malawi some names keep popping up. Patrick Simakweli is one such name. But what makes Patrick Simakweli special is his rare talent in guitar and instruments as well as well composed jazz ensembles. Our reporter MAYAMIKO SEYANI explores the life of the artist.

In every well profiled musical history of Malawi some names keep popping up. Patrick Simakweli is one such name. But what makes Patrick Simakweli special is his rare talent in guitar and instruments as well as well composed jazz ensembles. Our reporter MAYAMIKO SEYANI explores the life of the artist.

Born on July 28  1953. As Patrick Simakweli, he was dubbed “Apatsi” by his friends and fans as short form of his first and surnames. Simakweli who hails from Chileka in Chapotela Village,T/A Kuntaja in Blantyre recalls that his passion for music emanated from the choir practice sessions he used to watch as his mother was in a Catholic church choir.

“I was not in the choir but used to go with my mom and that developed a passion for music,” said Simakweli.

As the enthusiasm for music grew, Simakweli, at the age of 17, made a guitar from a metal jerrycan in an effort to fulfill his long awaited dream. Simakweli strummed the box guitar with a passion—but passion was not enough—he could not produce a chord that could make one break a leg.

Great artists are called great for they realise their shortfalls and work on them as socrates argues in the apology: “I am called wise, for my hearers always imagine that I myself possess wisdom which I find wanting in others,”

Simakweli knew he could not be great without learning from someone—So he met Don Mlenga who gave him lead guitar lessons. However, the quest to perfection did not end there as Simakweli went on to learn bass guitar from Geoffrey Wawanya.

Knowing that practice makes perfect, Simakweli, borrowed a box guitar from Slyvano Nankwenya which he used to perfect his skill with.

In 1972, he met Isimu Kananji, who was adopted by Europeans who brought a guitar, and Dennis Bwanali to form their first band which they later called World Caskets.

“Our parents did not approve of us playing in a band, but with time they came to accept the fact that we are stars in the making,” said Simakweli.

The band did not live long enough as it disbanded in 1973 after the band members had disagreements at Smilus Bar in Mpemba.

Breaking up with his long-time friends did not stop Simakweli from pursuing his passion for music as he later in 1977 formed a band with his long time friend Nankwenya called Star Dust which later disbanded after he had left to be among the first members of the newly formed Sounds Pentagon Band with the likes of Wambali Mkandawire, Don Mlenga, Jeofrey Chiumya and Ben Chingoni.

“The rehearsals used to take place at old Nation Publications premises in Ginnery Corner  where there used to be a company called Concrete Products” he said.

Simakweli’s unstable behaviour did not end as he then went to join Kudya Restaurant Band in 1978 and in 1983 he left to join Mount Soche Echoes Band where he left in 1986.

Simakweli did not waste any time as he in the same year joined the Stratus Band which was formerly called Los Mchachas with Portuguese brothers Ibu and Hassan Sally.

Maturiy and a sense of stability started to take root as Simakweli stayed in the band until 1990 when Hassan and Ibu went back to Portugal, leaving the band to members.It was  later renamed to Mtambo Band Chichewa for Stratus. The love affair with Mtambo Band ended in a fight as band members disbanded after a huge fight broke out among them at a show.

During the referendum period, Bright Nkhata picked Simakweli to join the New Makasu but later disbanded after Nkhata went to South Africa.

Simakweli then reformed a band which he called Mitambo 1 which was a resident band performing at Taj Mahal which was located on Henderson Street in Blantyre. The band disbanded after demolition of the joint.

Then he joined a resident band at Legends   where Chez Ntemba club in Blantyre is located.

After leaving Legends Simakweli at the dawn of the new millenium 2000, went to join St Andrews International School where he was a part time teacher for instruments.

The music business back in the days was not meant for the faint hearted as the artist  narrates, but he recounts that it was not his strength but God’s grace as most of his band members from the past passed away.

Realising this,Simakweli, in 2000 became born again.

Simakweli went on further at Che Chamba to learn music reading and playing a piano.

Simakweli still rehearses with some of the veteran musicians where they strictly play Jazz.

Apart from music, Simakweli has chronicled Malawian music from its early beginings, a project which will be funded by National Bank of Malawi.

Simakweli has four children with Sam simakweli who plays in Zembani as the first born.

ALBUMS

1. Tidzaonana (1996)

2. Nthawi yatha (1998)

3. Alephera (1999)

4. Moyo Nkudya (2000)

5. Yehova Wafungatira (2003)

6. Wobadwa Mwatsopano (2005)

7. Akutero (2009)