Nigel Nyangombe
Entertainment Writer
It is not every day when a local producer gets to work with Grammy award winning choir.
From humble beginnings as a church pianist in Gweru, Nigel Nyangombe is rubbing shoulders with the elite Soweto Gospel Choir.
Directing a group like the Soweto outfit, which has toured the world, showcasing African music is no mean task and Nyangombe says: “it is a humbling experience.”
On the Vine live DVD, The Great Physician ,recorded at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Saturday, Nyangombe was responsible for coordinating a 10-piece band and a 40-piece orchestra.
“It has been 10 months preparing for this project and thank God we are ready now,” he said before the recording.
Nyangombe admits: “I was nervous at first.” But not for long, he says.
“When I was bringing the music to them, but they loved it. They are beautiful people, gifted people. I love the colour that they brought to this project.”
While producing for The Vine, Nyangombe also worked with South Africa’s Mabongi Mabaso, Mahalia Buchanan and legendary Benjamin Dube.
Saturday’s event was nothing short of world-class.
It was refreshing to see local gospel outfits, exhibit creativity in stage work, excellent vocals, and instrumentation.
With the band playing on the top deck and the string section on the bottom, together with the choir, gospel music lovers were treated to something only those with the fine taste can understand.
Flawless and refreshing were the vocals, an encouraging site on the gospel music scene.
The Vine flew dozens of musicians from South Africa who played violins and other stringed instruments, while well known bassist Bheka Mthethwa also mesmerised the crowd with his melodic riffs.
On drums was Mike-Sta Ohene Marfo who has worked with South African songstress, Zaza Mokheti.
During the recording, The Soweto Gospel Choir captured the audience with their enchanting vocals, blended with well-crafted choreography.
On the song Inyanga Enkulu, featuring the group founder and director, Everton Mlalazi, the choir proved why they are one of the best acts in the world.
With all this talent on display, one would be quick to forget the brains behind the music, Nyangombe who sat comfortably on a grand piano as he coordinated the musicians to produce a sound that only The Vine boasts as their signature.
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