All that jazz in one night

Have you ever attended a classical musical concert?
It is one of the most amazing musical moments and organised, events.
The audience sit and stare as the performers go through their repertoire. In between a piece you can’t cough clap or even walk around.
When the song finally comes to an end then you may clap and smile for about 30 seconds if not less.
Everything seems very mathematical from the movement of the performers to the introductions.
I always wonder why the atmosphere is so serene. Could it be that musicians who perform this type of music usually read musical notation and so they need complete silence to be able to play or that people in the audience know the music and so want to hear it played note for note in order to appreciate.
Every time I attend a classical musical concert I feel so out of place as my emotions run wild at the musical expressions and interpretations of different songs being performed.
I feel like shouting yeah, even standing up but guess what everyone stares at you with an eye that seem to question your sanity.
Guess what this weekend I definitely get a lifetime opportunity to enjoy myself to bits, dance all I want shout for joy and get to sing along to some of my favourite Afro jazz songs performed live by Lira (South African Jazz sensation) Victor Kunonga, Dudu Manhenga, Tendai Manatsa and Selmar Mtukudzi, Cool crooners and the dynamic Jazz invitation.
The combination of this South African jazz sensation with our own jazz stars will definitely give the audiences value for money and time.
Combining her light-filled power packed voice, song writing skills and mesmerising live performance skills Lira stands out as a beacon of inspiration.
Little matters to this woman who has been named a style icon, role model, a multiple award-winner and platinum artist.
Stage presence and always in control ladies and gentleman will come from Victor.
The music that Victor creates conveys universal messages on issues to do with child and marital abuse, hunger and poverty.
He draws his inspiration from Zimbabwean masters namely Dr Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi Louis Mhlanga and Chiwoniso Maraire.
Going on an Afro Jazz adventure then make sure you catch the dynamic versatile Dudu Manhenga on stage.
You will experience the diversity and fusion of music genres from Afro contemporary, Zim traditional, Township jazz Latino.
The bottom line is the relay this weekend is going to be breath taking and one not to be missed by the music enthusiast.
One of the things that make Jazz different from classical music is that the musicians improvise, or make up their own version of a tune, instead of playing notes that are written down by the composer.
This means that the players almost never perform a piece the same way.
Performance is about connecting with your audience and so at times in the moment you improvise in order to draw your audience attention or to reemphasise your message.
When musicians get together without an audience and experiment with tunes, it is known as a jam session.
It is during sessions like these that most jazz evolves. Although jazz involves lots of improvisation, there are some fixed elements in a piece.
Instead of writing down every note, jazz composers provide a rough outline, usually consisting of a tune and the chords that go with it.
Chords are two or more notes played or sung together, they are usually written as chord symbols, which tell the musician which chords accompany a tune.
The musicians improvise around this outline.
The origins of jazz lie mainly with African American music, such as blues and gospel and a combination of European styles.
Most of the best musicians that have made a great impression on our hearts have a certain level of madness, or should I call it sparkle.
To be a singer or a musician one must have some amount of craziness.
That is what gets you to really connect with the audience. Jazz musicians usually demonstrate great levels of creativity, emotion and craziness.
Stretch your mind, be inspired jazz under the stars
l Richard Kohola is a music critic and development expert and can be contacted on the following number 0772 382 871 or e-mail: [email protected]