Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
THE annual Kadoma Jazz Festival, which took place on Saturday, lived up to its billing by uniting over 13 artists who showcased their talent in front of scores of jazz music enthusiasts.
Dubbed the Highbury Jazz Festival, the event featured a blend of performances which promoted cultural exchange and unity among the artists while decentralising the genre to the small town of Kadoma. The festival showcased a mix of established musicians and emerging talent, bringing the richness of jazz music.
Jeys Marabini, Iyasa, Victor Kunonga, Selmor Mtukudzi, Alexio Kawara, Kae Chaps, Mbeu, Gary Tight, and Mwendamberi performed at the festival. Trevor Dongo and Baba Harare did not show up despite having confirmed their presence.
Marabini said:
“This was my first time performing in Kadoma, and I am happy that the audience enjoyed my music as they kept asking for more.
“The festival made me believe that music is a unifier, as we saw upcoming artists like Mwendamberi from Kadoma demonstrating great potential.”
Kunonga praised the event for preserving the genre. “I was here for the Jazz Festival, and we witnessed outstanding performances.
“This is a genre that I support and I am impressed that it will be an annual event, and I urge people to support it.
“You have seen local talent, obviously, when we host such events in towns like Kadoma, they will also benefit.
“The genre of jazz has been concentrated in major towns like Harare and Bulawayo, but coming to small towns shows that the genre will never die, as it transcends time,” said Kunonga.
Iyasa’s administrator, Mercy Kayumba, said the performance helped them connect with a wider audience away from their home ground in Bulawayo.
“It was an honour to perform here and I want to appreciate that Zimbabwe supports our work.
“This shows that Zimbabwe appreciates us, and it indicates that our work doesn’t stop in Bulawayo.
“We also got to meet other artists here, which helped us spread our message and gain more appreciation away from home,” she said.
The organiser of the festival, Billy Ruzayi, said jazz music was in his blood.
“Jazz is something that is in me, I love the genre.
“It’s unique and classy, and the crowds are easy to control. Nowadays, there are new upcoming artists and we are blending them with the likes of Jeys Marabini, who has been in the industry for a long time. Next year, we are looking forward to partnering with international artists like Soul Brothers, Ringo Malingo, and Malian legendary musician Salif Keita.”
