Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust and Alliance Françaises in Zimbabwe provided an eventful Zimbabwe Jazz Festival 2025, over the weekend, in Harare and Bulawayo.
On Friday, at the Alliance Française de Bulawayo, the festival kicked off with the right tone as The Frank Salis Experience, a dynamic cross-continental ensemble led by Swiss composer Frank Salis, took to the stage.
It was a special moment for Bulawayo’s own Dudu Manhenga, who delivered a world class performance, after being joined by her sister, Zanele Manhenga.
Having left Bulawayo at a tender age to look for greener pastures in Harare, Dudu Manhenga said she was excited to be back home.
“It’s great to be back to where it all started. I remember back in the day, I used to be afraid to compose and sing in the English language as I feared pronouncing words with the double Ts like, ‘cattle’ ‘bottle’ but I eased into it, now I’m comfortable.
“That’s how we pronounce these words in Bulawayo,” she said.
Award-winning saxophonist Vee Mukarati, a star in Europe’s jazz circles, showed why he is one to watch with a polished performance, which also included Othnell” Mangoma” Moyo.
The Tich Makalisa Band, uniting the acclaimed pianist with talents from Zimbabwe and South Africa, made sure that the night of jazzy sounds was an entertaining one.
For Amanda Tiffin, performing in Bulawayo after a long time, was also special.
This year’s festival coincided with the ground-breaking, “Frank Salis Experience — The Zambezi Sessions,” an ambitious residency and tour project.
Five musicians from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Switzerland, Italy, and the US embarked on a two-week creative journey across Southern Africa, starting in Lusaka, Mutare and Victoria Falls.
The tour culminated with a show at the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival.
The deep-rooted collaboration between ZJCT and Alliance Française remains central to the festival’s success.
Established in 2016, ZJCT is led by a committee of artists and jazz lovers and is dedicated to reviving and preserving the Zimbabwean jazz culture.
Its Board of Trustees includes chairperson Robert Basvi, Marova, Kumbula Chiweza, Tinashe Mukarati and Blessing Chaumba.
Last year’s “Sizzling Rhythms” festival featured UK-based Zimbabwean artist Paul Lunga and Swiss singer NNAVY, alongside local acts.
This year’s edition elevated this legacy, transforming Zimbabwe into a nexus of jazz innovation and cross-cultural harmony.
