HARARE – Jamaican reggae star Luciano is set to arrive in Zimbabwe tomorrow for his upcoming “Return to Africa 2015” concert at the Glamis Arena on April 10.
On Wednesday evening he will meet his fans at Harare’s Private Lounge in a party dubbed ‘Mingle and Mix’.
A spokesperson for Private Lounge said his fans will have the chance to meet and chat with the reggae star. “He will not be performing, but will just meet his fans ahead of his mega concert at Glamis on Friday.”
The artiste last year failed to tour Africa following a warning by the Jamaican government to tourists on travelling to the continent following the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
He was expected to tour Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In an interview, the concert organiser, Partson Chimbodza told the Daily News, that Luciano will be in the country for five days.
He said his schedule will be very tight as it includes meeting with Zimbabwean artists and organising collaborations.
Chimbodza confirmed that Jah Prayzah will be collaborating with Luciano, however he was still waiting for Kinnah and Soul Jah Love to confirm.
He said that the idea to host the show at the Harare Agricultural Show arena was because it was big enough to hold the anticipated crowd.
Chimbodza said they have also beefed up security to avoid the City Sports Centre saga by ensuring that Luciano is escorted by a private security firm.
“We have created a VIP, VVIP and ordinary section at the Arena. He (Luciano) will enter from the VIP section. We have also ensured that he stays at a private location in Harare for his security,” Chimbodza said.
The promoter said on Wednesday Luciano will be meeting with other artists in Mabelreign and on Thursday he would have another party at Red Fox.
A superstar in his native Jamaica, Luciano combines his love of God and beauty into a soulful, spiritual blend of rock and R&B-tinged reggae.
Born Jepther McClymont in Davey Town, he began his musical career singing in church and moved to Kingston to pursue music professionally.
After McClymont had worked with prominent reggae producers like Herman Chin-Loy and labels like Aquarius and Sky High, Homer Harris of Blue Mountain changed McClymont’s name.
Now known as Luciano, he released singles for labels like Big Ship, New Name Muzik, and Sky High, and began working with longtime producer Phillip “Fattis” Burrell.
However, the pressures of constant recording and performing caused him to leave the music scene in 1993 to regroup and reconsider his life.
His return, 1995’s Where There Is Life reflected Luciano’s sabbatical with its spiritual, contemplative style, and found critical acclaim for its artistic integrity and stylistic diversity.
Luciano’s sacred approach to life and music fills his other albums, including 1996’s After All, 1997’s Messenger, and 1999’s Champions in Action. Great Controversy was released two years later, as was A New Day. Serve Jah was released in 2002, followed by 2003’s Tell It from the Heart. Lessons of Life from 2003 teamed the singer with the hot production crew Fat Eyes, while 2005’s Upright featured the production of DJ Flava and marked Luciano’s first release on the Kingston label.
His 2006 release Child of a King was introduced by the Jamaican hit single Remember When. God Is Greater Than Man arrived in 2007, with Jah Is My Navigator following in early 2008.