Winter Jazz Fest is here!

chance to share the stage with some of their international counterparts.
This year’s edition has a potpourri of talented artistes with South Africa-based Zimbabwean jazz maestro Max Vidima billed to top this year’s edition.
Based in Cape Town, Vidima is expected to arrive this afternoon for the mammoth festival that will run for five days.

Meanwhile, the Clerk of Parliament, Austin Zvoma, who is also a jazz musician and aficionado in his own right, will officially open this year’s Winter Jazz Festival.
Zvoma — who is a member of the amalgamated Anglican and Methodist Church Choir based in Mt Pleasant — has been regular feature at the festival.
“He is expected to throw one or two songs by virtue of him being a musician in his own right. Those with a long memory can recall the kind of stuff that he delivers with his long-time friends, Summer Breeze.

“At one time, he stood in for William Kashiri when he was on tour in the United States,” said Josh Hozheri, the organiser of the festival.
The festival will see Vidima performing on Saturday, alternating on stage with Jabavu Drive, Cool Crooners, Willom Tight, Selmor Mtukudzi, Munyaradzi Mataruse, Josh Meck and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana.

Tonight, all eyes will be on Mbare Trio, Summer Breeze, Jazz Invitation and Amara Brown.
Amara — daughter to late talented musician Andy Brown — will dedicate her act to her father.
Tomorrow, the day belongs to Victor Kunonga, Duduzile Manhenga, Edith Katiji and Jean Masters. This is an exciting slot because Jean will test the waters for the first time alongside the big names who have been there before.

While the other days will be exciting, it is the closing ceremony that is set to ignite a lot of fireworks with Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Too Open and Q Montana billed to thrill revellers.