13 Jun 2016

Tom Gasethebe has found his love in jazz music after his trial with dance hall which failed to penetrate the market.

According to Gasethebe producing music doesn’t only require skill but it comes with talent, perseverance and passion to present the best to an audience. 

Gasethebe started singing at primary school but his passion to compose music began at Tshegetsang Junior School in Molepolole.

“I made a decision to join the boys’ choir at Tshegetsang from 1993 to 1994 because I had passion for music and from 1995- 1997 when I was at Kgari Sechele Senior School I played marimba at Kgari Sechele I Museum.”

Gasethebe said he had to break from music when he completed his Form 5 because he had to go for Tirelo Setshaba. He said when he got back the department of museums hired him to teach young students to play marimba at Kgari Sechele I Museum.

Gasethebe, who is a teacher by profession, said he continued with music until he formed BOSETU band in 2010 where he sang lead vocalist and now focuses on playing the keyboard.

He said in 2014 he decided to pursue a project with three other friends. He said they named their group Skeem in which they sang dance hall and they recorded an album called Wena Fela.

“Wena Fela did not penetrate the market as we expected because we did not have ample time to promote the album due to work and at times I had to promote the album on my own which made marketing sluggish,” he said.

He said as he was promoting the album among Batswana and other artistes, Kabelo “Skavenja” Tiro a well-known afro pop artiste advised him to try out different genres of music and explore his capability.

 “I took heed of what Tiro said and I explored all genres in which I realised that jazz is the one. I have always loved jazz as I went for jazz jingles on Sundays, switching to it wasn’t a problem to me,” said Gasethebe.

The 38-year-old said in November 2015 he finished recording his 10 track jazz album called A re Yeng in which he worked with Shabani Yohana Mwanasand.

“I have known Mwanasand since 1998 from the music festivals he used to play at, he produced music for men like Franco and I have always admired what he did. In 2015 I built a relationship with him and told him about the jazz album I wanted to compose and he was welcoming because he had the same idea in mind.”

He said he also worked with Touch Records and Bullet Music Production located in Mogoditshane with Thando Zinto as the executive engineer of the album.

 “People do not know much about my album but I am doing as much as I can. I launched a listening session at Millennium Jazz Restaurant where I invited journalists, I was also invited by Radio Botswana and Duma FM where I was given the platform to market my album. I also took my CD to Setlhareng.com and mountain valley where they are sold.”

Gasethebe said his album would be launched on a day and a place to be communicated with the public.

He advised students to focus on their studies before going into music because he believes that education is the best weapon to carry in life.

“Passion defines your destiny no matter what field you take, but you need money to promote yourself and to buy equipment and that’s where education comes in because you need a job to do that. I encourage musicians to believe in themselves because if you do that you can move mountains.”

He also thanked his fans and his team for supporting and encouraging him by promoting and taking part in completing his album. 

“This album is dedicated to all men and women who make a difference to lives. Let all men fend for the vulnerable women and children and let them be seen to be caring and loving.”

He also applauded Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for the presidential competitions that are held every year to promote music in Botswana and for the Khawa tour as it promotes artistes and polka dance in Botswana. ENDS