JAMES CHIMOMBE

Songwriter – guitarist – vocalist.

James Chimombe was a highly respected Zimbabwean guitar and vocalist.  Hailing from the Harare suburb, Highfields, he was born in 1951.  His career started as a rhythm guitarist with Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi and he went on to play with many bands during the course of his career.  Chimombe was particularly known for combining Kenyan, South African, Congolese and Country & Western influences with African horns and his guitar lines.

Chimombe was heavily influenced by the Motown stars, particularly Lionel Richie.  His best known hit songs were Jemedza, Kudakwashe, George Mudiwa and Bindura.

Chimombe passed away in Zimbabwe in 1990 but his legacy lives on through his music and work.

(With acknowledgements to Wikipedia).