Getting back to the Jazzics

Takudzwa Chihambakwe
Nothing beats the sound of jazz on a Sunday. The folks at Chez Zandi Bistro and Wine Bar in Harare know this, and they now regularly host some of the top and budding jazz acts in Zimbabwe.

“Back 2 Jazzics” has become integral in reviving a genre that was on the decline.

Birthed by the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust in 2016, and 94 sessions to date, jazz is making a big comeback.

“It has been a tough journey but we keep pushing on to ensure that jazz is kept alive in Zimbabwe. Some think that it does not have an audience but that is not true as the numbers that gather here every Sunday speak for themselves,” said renowned jazz pianist and songwriter, Filbert Marova, who is also the co-founder of the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust.

“We started this platform back in 2016 and changed venues along the way but we are happy with Chez Zandi as it offers us a superb environment, fitting for our mature audience.”

He said the main idea with the platform is to ensure that the audience grows and the musicians perfect their craft.

“The challenge for many jazz musicians has been that they lack platforms to perform. Now they have a platform and it’s up to them to practice hard and lure more crowds.

“The platform also encourages them to now go into the studio to work on new productions as they are guaranteed of a receptive paying audience.”

Marova revealed that the Trust did not make a profit from “Back 2 Jazzics”.

Last year the Trust hosted a superb summer jazz festival at Chez Zandi, and they believe it will be even bigger in 2018.

But before the festival, another exciting programme is on the cards.

“This April we are hosting the Women in Jazz programme. This will see female artistes headlining all jazzics editions throughout the month. We felt that there is need to deliberately have a slot where women in the genre can shine, thereby exposing them and avoid them getting overshadowed by their male colleagues.

“People can look out for acts such as Vera, Raven Duchess, Tariro ne Gitare, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana and Africherry during the month of April,” said Marova.

Today’s edition of Back 2 Jazzics is headlined by award-winning act, Vee Mukarati.