admin
Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
This year’s Winter Jazz Festival that was scheduled to be officially launched last night is set to peak tonight with the major gig of the music fête penned for City Sports Centre.
Tonight’s show will see Oliver Mtukudzi, Ammara Brown and Tanga Wekwa Sando sharing the stage with Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah.
Promoter of the festival Josh Hozheri has defended the participation of musicians Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah in the three-day festival.
Jah Prayzah is struggling to identify his music while Chimbetu inherited the dendera genre, which is far from jazz.
“This is a winter festival and there is need to bring fusion to this festival that explains why we have called the two artistes,” he said.
He said there was nothing wrong in bringing the two artistes whom he described as versatile.
“As for Jah Prayzah, he has a number of jazz songs and I don’t see anything wrong with him participating in the festival,” he said.
The promoter has come under fire from critics who questioned the participation of the two musicians in the festival.
Running under the theme “Back to Township Jazz”, the festival takes place at four different venues around the capital.
Hozheri said all artistes have confirmed their participation in the festival that will have events taking place at venues that include Dandaro Inn, Book Cafe and Ice ‘n’ Fire Pamuzinda.
“All is now in place for the festival with artistes confirming their participation at the annual event,” said Hozheri.
Chimbetu said he was happy to help jazz musicians celebrate their genre.
“It feels great to join hands with fellow musicians in celebrating their genre.
“I will try a few jazz tunes in solidarity with our friends in the industry,” said Chimbetu.
Hozheri said all artistes taking part in this year’s Winter Jazz Festival are going to donate a blanket each to be handed over to victims of the Tokwe-Mukosi flood disaster currently living at Chingwizi Transit Camp.
“We are also urging all those that are going to attend the festival at the various venues around the capital to donate a gift of warmth this winter so that we take a bigger package to Chingwizi.
“Everyone has a jacket or some other warm clothing they no longer need somewhere in their wardrobe. Just bring it to any of the venues where the festival will be and give it to our agents there. Your donation can make a huge difference in someone’s life,” pleaded Hozheri.
Other events of the festival include the “Ladies in Jazz” event at Book Cafe featuring Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Edith weUtonga, Queen Rumbie and Jean Masters, to name just a few.
Book Café again hosts more programmes tomorrow, which will see a schools’ programme featuring Prince Edward High School, Watershed College and Churchill Boys’ High School, presenting several acts during the day.
After the schools programme, Munya Mataruse, Claire Nyakudjara and The Other Four, Summer Breeze, Cool Crooners, Jazz Invitation and Jabavu Drive, take jazz lovers on another musical.
On the same night, the new home of the Winter Jazz Festival, Ice ‘n’ Fire Pamuzinda, will have on rotation DJs Kudzi Marudza, Witness Matema, D-Train, Terrence Mapurisana and Mukanya aka The Branch Manager.
Online Reporter