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this year’s mammoth jazz fete will parade more than 20 local acts.
From the line-up released last week, it appears that the event organisers have snubbed foreign artistes, mainly from South Africa, who had become regular at this annual event.
However, that does not mean that their absence will take away the glitz and glamour that now characterises this event, something that jazz lovers always look forward to every year.
If anything, the absence of foreign jazz artistes, should present local musicians with an opportunity to consolidate their fan base, while showcasing their ingenuity, to some fans who had begun to doubt their act, following an upsurge of international shows.
After all, they say, local is lekker.
The festival will be held from July 21 to July 24. Within that jazz fiesta, the organisers will also host another commercial gig, on July 22 at the City Sports Centre, that will feature some of Zimbabwe’s celebrated musicians among them Oliver Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu, Winky D, and Tuku’s prodigy, Munya Mataruse.
That same Friday while Tuku and friends blow hot at the City Sport Centre, three jazz crooners Bob Nyabinde, Edith WeUtonga and Willom Tight, would be serenading jazz lovers at the country’s premier jazz joint, Jazz 105 ‘the home of jazz.
In an interview, event organiser Josh Hozheri said this year’s jazz festival was meant to promote local artists and to celebrate their achievements in the music industry.
“Unlike previous years, we made a deliberate decision to snub foreign artists, who seem to be getting all the attention at the expense of our local guys, whose sometimes out match their foreign counterparts,” he said.
Hozheri added that instead of ‘importing international artists’, promoters need to import instruments to support local talent.
Some of the local jazz connoisseurs that are set to woo jazz fans include, Jabavu Drive, Mbare Trio, Summer Trio, Cool Crooners, Prince Edward Jazz Band, Too Open, Claire and the Other Four and Victor Kunonga.
Other surprise inclusions would be Diana Samkange, Jeys Marabini, Selmor Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu, Jah Praisah, Alexio Kawara, Dino Mudondo and Picky Kasamba.
Online Reporter