Lucky Stars leader wants younger artists to embrace traditional music

Lucky Stars leader and only surviving original member of the group Boniface Ndamera courted younger musicians to embrace traditional music by seeking help and mentorship from established traditional music experts.

The Chinafuna M’bale musician said this on Thursday evening at Jacaranda Cultural Centre in Blantyre when he performed alongside Agorrosso, Goma Nyondo and John Fire.

“We are the ones who know traditional music so well and we are more than willing to teach the current generation, but these youngsters are not showing interest,” said Ndamera at the end of his performance.

He said it is his dream for Malawi to have as many traditional music players as possible, saying music that is rich in cultural elements is more attractive than copying genres from other countries.

During his performance, Ndamera and Lucky Stars Band performed songs such as Chinafuna M’bale, Kamwani Mowa and Diana.

Before, Ndamera and Lucky Stars, Goma Nyondo and Agorosso put up an impressive performances before the predominantly white audience.

John Fire finished the evening’s programme with a lively and engaging performance.

Speaking earlier, host of Sounds of Malawi music series at Jacaranda, Waliko Makhala, said it was good to see the interest in local music growing.

“This is actually the first time to have a sold-out Sounds of Malawi event and we hope things stay that way,” he said.