Legendary Zimbabwean jazz musician Oliver Mtukudzi has died at the age of 66.
According to sources close to the deceased, he was hospitalised in December after a heart attack. His record label Gallo Music Group, which previously also managed the late reggae maestro Lucky Dube, confirmed Mtukudzi’s demise in a brief statement.
In a touching release, Carol Marabe, Gallo Records Head of Marketing noted that no details of Mtukudzi’s passing would be released until a spokesperson was selected.
“We are not ready to give an official statement as we would like to give the family the go ahead before us. We just want to make sure that we respect the family until a spokesperson has been selected,” said Carol.
Another tweet sent out by Zimbabwean publication “Masvingo Mirror” confirmed the African jazz legend’s passing. In a tweet, Masvingo Mirror announced that, on good authority, Mtukudzi had died two hours ago in the intensive care unit at Avenues Clinic in Harare.
Mtukudzi’s is regarded as Zimbabwe’s best known music export. He was a businessman, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region. He had 58 albums attached to his name at the time of death. The “Todii” hit song maker will surely be missed by Ugandans, especially African Contemporary Jazz music lovers.