The legend of guitar: George Phiri

In Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa, George Phiri’s name rolls off musician’s tongue with so much glee as they evoke memories of the music legend’s prowess on the guitar.

And although he remains relatively unknown in Malawi, those that remember him recall him as the soft-spoken lead guitarist that was key to Makasu’s success before he trekked, first to Zimbabwe where he teamed up with legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi, and then Botswana before finally settling in South Africa where he made a name as a member of the Southern African group Mahube.

“The project is intended to build bridges and to do away with ignorance among people in the region. The politicians don’t seem to be doing such a good job of it. So hopefully, the musicians can do a better job,” says South African saxophonist, music producer and founder and director of the Mahube project Steve Dyer.

Mahube was a new musical concept that encompassed African rhythms in the southern region of the continent.

Mahube means ‘new dawn’ in Sotho and it was collaboration of 12 musicians from different groups from four countries.

Other band members were Oliver Mtukudzi (vocals), Suthukazi Arosi (vocals), a local award-winning singer and actress, South African Scorpion Madondo (saxophone, flute), Malawian George Phiri (vocals, guitar), Bheki Khoza (guitar), Phinda Mtya (vocals), Barry van Zyl (drums), Feya Faku (trumpet, flugelhorn), Andile Yenana (piano, keyboard), Herbie Tsoaeli (bass guitar, double bass) and Tlale Makhene from Swaziland (percussion).

Zimbabwe’s music maestro Mtukudzi might be way up in terms of skills, but he did not mince words on Phiri, saying he was a great and creative artist.

Mtukudzi, described working with Phiri as a joyful experience.

“George was a great artist, he represented Malawi very well while I was representing Zimbabwe and it’s a pity we lost him,” he said.

Mtukudzi said they met when they used to perform for Mahube from 2003 to 2006.

Phiri, who died in 2006, was a music genius who is also celebrated for his music exploits in South Africa.

He was born in Zimbabwe where his parents worked before returning to Malawi in the early 1980s.

He also played in the Zimbabwean group Wells Fargo and was later convinced by Stain Phiri to join Makasu in 1985. The group recorded the single Napolo, during a tour of Zimbabwe in 1985.

According to Entertainers Promotions boss Jai Banda, George Phiri is the one who introduced the song Muroyi to Makasu and went on to record this hit with Mtukudzi and others at Mahube.

Apart from the Mahube project, Phiri is also celebrated in South Africa for his 2001 album with Congolese musician Kampi Moto.

He played extensively on festivals in South Africa, Germany and Holland and, alongside Kampi Moto, was nominated for the 2001 South African Music Awards for ‘Best Duo or Group.’

Dyer, who led Mahube, says Phiri was a person that often used to joke and that in the band, situation there is often a joker, and in Mahube’s case George and pianist Andile Yenana provided that off stage entertainment.

“George was seldom angry or depressed, and often used to lift the spirits of those around him. Stylistically, George was a versatile guitarist and so was ideal for Mahube, focusing as we did on various different sounds from Southern Arica,” he said.

Dyer also says he remembers Phiri as someone that brought a positive energy, would be a peacemaker rather than antagonist in any dispute, and one who smiled and laughed a lot of the time adding he was never one to discriminate.

“George’s death happened rather suddenly. He complained of being weak and short of breath for the last few weeks of his life. Although advised to rest, he continued to play and tour, and this took its toll,” he says.

The Sheer Sounds Records website, profiling George Phiri as part of the duo Kampi Moto and George Phiri, describes him as no newcomer to the South African jazz scene.

“Recognised as an extremely talented guitarist 2014 he was drafted into the African big band Mahube, led by reed man Steve Dyer the band played extensively on festivals in South Africa, Germany and Holland.

“Originally from Malawi, George has assembled an extensive knowledge of the rhythms of Africa and has augmented this understanding during his periods of residence in Zimbabwe and South Africa. One of the driving forces behind the successful Zimbabwean band Wells Fargo in the ‘80’s,” it reads.

The website further says: “He went on to join the Malawian super group Kalimba Makasu. His central African feel on the guitar has led to collaborations with a number of South African bands including Stimela. Kampi and George have been nominated for the 2001 South African Music Awards for ‘Best Duo or Group’.