Kudzai Sevenzo
Kudzai Sevenzo | |
---|---|
Born | Zimbabwe |
Residence | Harare |
Nationality | Zimbabwe |
Occupation | Jazz Musician, Actress and TV Presenter |
Home town | Harare |
Religion | Christianity |
Early and Personal Life
Kudzai Sevenzo was born in Harare, Zimbabwe to Diana and Dixon Sevenzo. Lead soloist at nursery school, Kudzai discovered singing was her passion as early as early as 5 Years old.
Education
She attended Courtney Selous School in Greendale, and Chisipite Senior School, later Speciss college where she trained to be a travel consultant.
Music and acting
Kudzai's acting and singing[1] career was launched by Africa's Mogul Media Giant MNET, on a TV talent show called Project Fame, where she contested with 16 hopefuls from all across Africa. Kudzai Sevenzo[Project Fame 1] was selected to be the sole representative of her country and become one of 3 contestants who got the opportunity to showcase their songwriting talent, singing a yet to be released jazzy track called HE KNOWS, which ended up on her debut album.
Kudzai made it to the pen ultimate round in Project fame, and returned home a hero, instantly releasing her debut album ON A DAY LIKE THIS,[2] produced by producer and friend Andrew Baird.
She released her second album CHILD OF AFRICA, also produced by Andrew Baird.
Kudzai's acting debut was in Romantic comedy directed by Zimbabwean Film Maker Rumbi Katedza in which she played the lead actress. Kudzai received 3 nominations for this film; AMAA (Africa Movie Academy awards for best actress in lead role), NEA (Nigerian Entertainment awards for best actress in lead role) and she won an award for the Shungu Namutitiwa International Film festival of Zambia for best actress in lead role.
TV
Kudzai's star continued to rise as she was selected to anchor for a magazine show on MNET called Studio 53,[3] which saw her travelling Africa and exploring its cuisine, arts and culture. The show allowed her to explore the diversity of Africa, and get to interview Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Kudzai has been a spokesperson and ambassador for the following organizations: Kidzcan (a charity in Zimbabwe that helps terminally ill children, supplying them with morphine, chemotherapy and caring for them during their distress), ZIM cares for Life (a charity that protects, helps and uplifts destitute pregnant teens by caring for them and their unborn child,giving them shelter and teaching them skills so that they can find work and take care of their child. The organization also counsels teens in schools, and promotes abstinence amongst teens.)
Tours
Kudzai has toured in Switzerland and Denmark and is set for her first United States and Australia tour in 2015. Kudzai was inspired by jazz greats such as Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nneena Freelon. Her sultry voice and thought provoking lyrics have made her a much celebrated artist in Zimbabwe and has opened new avenues for her internationally.
Recommendations
United States of America actor and artist, Nyambi Nyambi Jnr, commended Kudzai Sevenzo as a vastly talented actress he has ever seen from Zimbabwe. Nyambi Nyambi said to the Zimbabwe Mail.[ZimMail 1] “Kudzai has got the qualities such that she does not even put a lot of effort when executing her roles and that alone gives her the credibility of being the best from Zimbabwe.”.
References
- ↑ African, Films. "Singer, Actress, Presenter (Zimbabwe)". Profile. Africa Films. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ Kudzai, Sevenzo. "On a day like this". Grooveshark. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ Studio 53. "53 EXTRA". Article. MNET. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ Fred, Zindi. "Mining index rises Constitution, Elections top Politburo Agenda Kudzai Sevenzo: Zim's shining star". Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ↑ Staff, Reporter (July 25, 2014). "US actor charmed by Kudzai Sevenzo". Entertainment Report (July 25th, 2014). The Zimbabwe Mail. Retrieved 25 July 2014.