Andy Brown’s daughter to make jazz fest debut

 

Brown is set to exchange notes with some of Africa’s big names at the 12th edition of the jazz carnival set to run from the 26 to 29 July at its traditional home, Jazz 105 in Harare.

In an interview, the director of the festival, Josh Hozheri, said this year’s festival was focusing on affording budding jazz artistes a platform to showcase their prowess.

“This year, the event will be much bigger and better as it will also see a number of up-and-coming jazz artistes taking to the stage.

“Among the up-and-coming artistes is Amara Brown who will be making a maiden appearance at the festival in memory of her late father Andy Brown,” said Hozheri.

Andy Brown, one of Zimbabwe’s most talented vocalists and guitarists, passed away in March after succumbing to pneumonia.

Hozheri said foreign artistes expected to grace this year’s event include Namibian artiste Eram Chimu and South Africa-based Zimbabwean artistes, award winning guitarist Louis Mhlanga and Musopera Vidima.

“We are still finalising with the artistes and by the end of the week next week we would have confirmed the trio’s participation at the festival.

“There is still room for local artistes who wish to take part in the festival and the door is still open for them to come and register,” said Hozheri.

Other local artistes who are set to perform at the event are jazz crooner Bob “Headmaster” Nyabinde, Victor Kunonga and Pamela Zulu who is expected to launch her debut album at the festival.

The Winter Jazz Festival is held annually and it is well known for promoting and nurturing local jazz artistes.

Last year, Bulawayo’s jazz sensation Jeys Marabini was honoured with an acoustic guitar by the Harare business community for being one of the outstanding artistes from Matabeleland region.

The festival has grown to become one of the most popular music showcases in the country.

It has hosted a number of local and regional jazz stars such as superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, grand daddies of jazz, the Cool Crooners, Mbare Trio and South African Ringo Madlingozi.