The Reigning Female Jazz Star: Pamellah Magariro

She is a shaker, the only creative, a young and flourishing lady of that matter who has the audacity, strength and high determination to be unique as driven by her passion to explore and follow her dream of becoming a female Jazz artist. She is in a field least populated by artists, for that matter, ladies. Notwithstanding she is doing exceedingly well. Her zest is beyond expectations as she is a shining star with so much passion to affectionately inspire and change lives for many through her sweet charming rhythmic sound of jazz. Her name is Pamellah Magariro, a lady born in Harare who later left the capital city at the age of 5. She is currently based in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, a place popularly known as, “EmaJahundeni amahle”. Pamellah did her primary and secondary levels of education emaJahundeni amahle. She is popularly known as Pamellah in the arts and entertainment circles. 

Her passion for music dates back to her early years at school and church choirs where she was actively involved mainly in acapella. Pamellah is largely influenced by her family members who played a big role in shaping her to be what she is today, an artist, this is where she draws her main source of inspiration. Her mother and her grandmother are her inspirations, they used to sing a lot. Her role models include Ami Faku, Feli Nandi, Amanda Black and Prudence Katomeni – Mbofana, all female glowing jazz icons. 

Pamellah says that some of the challenges that she faces as a female creative include being given stereotypical attributes that are just meant to demean women and make them feel inferior to men. Some frown upon her, insinuating she must be of loose morals just because she is a musician.. This mentality has a huge negative influence to women in the creative industry as some of them fail to pursue their chosen paths as they are discouraged by these misnomers that are so hurtful to the extent of one giving up on their dream. As someone who grew up singing gospel music, it was hard for the society to accept her shift from gospel to jazz and she was called by names where people described her as someone who was no longer zealous about God even though she still sings about God and love in her jazz music. Despite all these negative sentiments, Pamellah continues to thrive in her area of expertise, she has broken grounds and continues to be the light for other female creatives who go through these unfortunate stages in her profession as a female artist. She is also proud to be having family members and friends who understand her vision and mission in as far as her music is concerned. She is thankful for the support she receives from them always as they keep her alive and lively in the music industry.

Pamellah has managed to effectively work on her brand and this has earned her respect from the society. She has been awarded with awesome opportunities where she rubs shoulders with influential creatives in the arts industry. She mentions figures who have made it and who continue to limelight their creativity in more inspirational ways.  Pamellah has shared a table, as she prefers to describe it, with celebrities who include Leonard Mapfumo, Sani Makhalima, Sandra Ndebele, Mathias Mhere, Mambo Dhuterere, Gemma Griffiths and Andy Muridzo.

Pamellah boasts of several achievements such as the release of her single called “Umunt’ Okude” an Afro Jazz track and has partnered with artists such as Lance Hebron, Zhezhingtons, Zagoe Radge and Tenricks. She is also an award winning artist where she scooped an award for the Best Female new Artist category in 20.. at The Eminent in Sports, Music and Academic Awards (TESMA). She had the privilege to demonstrate her art at the Gwanda annual festival show, she took part in Dream Star competition, showcased her artistic skills  at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) Bulawayo National Arts Gallery at Red Café, Club Alabama, Smoke House and CSC among other places. She has performed in Gwanda, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Gweru and Harare gigs. Pamellah was part of the prestigious 2021 Bulawayo Arts Festival where she enthralled the crowd and left them yelling for some more. In 2022 Pamellah has already released her two singles, Ngilibele and Hleka tracks. She is currently working on an album. She intends to release the tracks on the album separately with the first release set for April this year.