Uncle Rex Downloads

Who is Uncle Rex, You may ask. He likes to call himself the pioneer of jazz music in Zambia, earning his experience in the early 70s as a child. Since then, this soul brother has been the man behind stars such as J.K, Joe Chibangu, Maureen Lilanda, and Jane Osborne. He was the founder of Reality,... Learn More »

Who is Uncle Rex, You may ask. He likes to call himself the pioneer of jazz music in Zambia, earning his experience in the early 70s as a child. Since then, this soul brother has been the man behind stars such as J.K, Joe Chibangu, Maureen Lilanda, and Jane Osborne. He was the founder of Reality, the gospel group from GO-CENTER worship grounds. He later on started his work on his first debut album Fingerspeech.

Definitely a trendsetter of jazz music in Zambia ready to surprise the unsuspecting public with great talent. The shy, down to earth, friendly, soft-spoken guitarist is ready to be explored.

Stage Name: Uncle Rex

Real Name: Rex Mukubonda

Age: "Forty-something"

Marital Status: Married with two lovely daughters Martha and Rachael.

His family and educational background: The sixth son of a Zambia Railways mechanic in a family of 10, Uncle Rex was born in Kabwe at Kabwe Central Hospital. He concluded his junior school at Northrise Primary School in Kabwe where he was in the same class with Kalusha Bwalya and later proceeded to Chifubu in Ndola, where he completed his secondary education.

Dream Collaborator: Carlos Santana

About Uncle Rex's Musical Background: Uncle Rex started embracing music within his family at an early age whilst receiving guitar lessons from his dad and brother J.J.

"I was always playing the guitar (at home) and taking guitar lessons from my father and brother J.J., who taught me how to hit certain cords and notes. We are a musical family and always played guitars."

His professional musical career started in Ndola 23 years ago with a band called Hotline, which had a huge following due to their good shows. His first showbiz gig was at the Falcon Hotel in Ndola.

"It was a disco era. But instead of playing and listening to disco songs, we decided to play jazz and that's what made us unique at the time because it was different."

Rex later joined a band called Master Q1, which was quite famous on the Copperbelt. His third group was Lifasi (meaning "world" in Lozi). After he moved to Lusaka in 1986, Rex formed a gospel group called Glory Singers, which gained popularity in gospel music circles. After Glory Singers disbanded, he went on to play with a band called Shine On, before becoming a founder member of Reality.

This brought Rex to national attention as the producer and composer of many of their gospel hits. The group was backed and supported by Pastor Helmut Reuters, and the released two successful albums.

In 2002, Rex decided to go solo and concentrated on session work. He has recorded with some of Zambia's leading artists including J.K., Marsha Moyo, Maureen Lilanda, and Joe Chibangu.

Late 2003 saw him begin recording his debut solo album, Fingerspeech, after signing a record deal with Mondo Music.

Uncle Rex was fortunate enough to share the same stage with American evangelist Bennie Hinn as his guitarist during concerts throughout Lusaka and the Copperbelt. He has also performed with Zambian music legends like Jagari Chanda of the renowned 70's band, The W.I.T.C.H, as well as the late Paul Ngozi. Apart from jazz, this multi-talented man also plays rock n' roll, blues and heavy metal.

Favourite Guitars: Uncle Rex is a complete guitarist. His favourite guitars are the Spanish guitar and Gibson guitar.

Why Fingerspeech? He believes he speaks through his fingers.

"I sing quite alright except that I do it through my fingers, hence "Fingerspeech". This is my first album in which I'm trying to talk about the love of God for us, peace and freedom in the world.''

« Hide Description