It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that Sheer Publishing reports the tragic loss of yet another incredibly talented young musician.

Sam Mtukudzi (21), son of the legendary Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, passed away in the early hours of this morning (around 1 am, Monday 15 March 2010) after a fatal car crash, in which no other vehicles were involved.

Both Sam and his sound engineer, Owen Chimhare, died at the scene of the accident. They were apparently the only occupants of the vehicle.

This happened near the Pamuzinda Highway Escape, whilst travelling back from an event in Bulawayo on route to Harare, Zimbabwe. It appears that the vehicle in which they were travelling completely lost control and veered off the road…

Our deepest sympathies, commiserations and prayers are with the Mtukudzi and Chimhare families, as well as Sam and Owen’s many friends and fans, at this incredibly difficult time.

The loss of one so talented, and so young, is never easy to comprehend, understand or bear. – You will be sorely missed by many – Rest in Peace!

More about Sam Mtukudzi:
(Source: “The Zimbo Jam” www.zimbojam.com)

Sam Mtukudzi (21), one of Zimbabwe’s most promising young musicians, has died in a car crash. He was the son of one of Africa’s most legendary music stars, Oliver Mtukudzi. Sam passed away in the early hours of Monday morning (15 March 2010) The Zimbo Jam has learnt.

Sam and his sound engineer, Owen Chimhare (24), were driving from Harare to Norton when they were involved in a car accident, just before Pamuzinda Highway Escape, at around 0100hrs this morning. Both of them died on the spot.

Born on 1st April 1988, Sam first showed his musical nature at the age of 4 when he started strumming on his Father’s guitar. The family was then located in the City of Kwekwe. At the age of 10 his father saw him perform at a school concert and was so impressed by the performance that he bought him his first guitar.

When he started high school at Prince Edward in Harare, Sam found before him an institution that had great facilities for him to pursue music seriously and to learn a number of instruments. He immersed himself into it, learning mbira, drums, marimbas, saxophone and mastering his guitar skills.

As soon as he was done with school Sam started performing professionally, backing his father on many occasions, but also performing on his own. He went on to form his own ensemble, the Ay Band!

Sam released his first album, Rume Rimwe in 2008 (Sheer Sound). Just last week he had returned from South Africa where he was overseeing the mixing of his second album.

He performed all over the world including in countries such as Canada, United States of America, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ireland and United Kingdom.

His talent has illuminated festivals such as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Winter Jazz Festival, Victoria Falls International Jazz Festival and, Johannesburg International Jazz Festival among others.

His last show was at the Sports Diner on Saturday evening, where he and his band gave an inspired performed, albeit to a small crowd of about twenty people.

His parents, who are currently in South Africa, have been notified of the accident. They will arrive in Harare this morning.