Online Reporter
Prince Mushawevato
FOR close to a decade, local jazz music lovers have felt abandoned.
They have been yearning for a mega event to quench their thirst for live performances.
While Zimdancehall and sungura have dominated the local arts calendar, cries for jazz’s return have grown louder from its dedicated, mature fan base.
The last significant jazz event — the Winter Jazz Festival — was held in Harare around 2015.
At its peak, the festival, the brainchild of music promoter and businessman Josh Hozheri, attracted some of the finest local and international jazz musicians.
Fans were mesmerised by legends like South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, the charismatic Ringo Madlingozi, the enchanting Jimmy Dludlu, the energetic Max Vidima, the multi-talented Louis Mhlanga and wizards Tsepo Tshola and Selaelo Selota.
One memorable edition even saw the legendary Dorothy Masuka, revered Nigerian guitarist Kunle Ayo and the Italian Amanda e la Band deliver sensational acts.
The festival was also known for inclusive events, like “Ladies in Jazz” and school programmes, offering exposure to budding talent.
New vision
Could this level be achieved again?
Hozheri, who often held the event at his former joint, Jazz 105, believes it is still possible.
He told The Sunday Mail Entertainment that his heart was “bleeding” as he is constantly inundated with calls from jazz lovers feeling neglected.
The end of the festival coincided with the change of ownership at Jazz 105.
“This space (jazz music) has not been promoted since I exited the scene. Most of the jazz lovers had nowhere to go. There were no productions of this magnitude (Harare Jazz Festival) that have been coming through,” revealed Hozheri, better known as Big Josh in entertainment circles.
“I am happy to announce to jazz fans in the country that Jazz 105 Promotions is back and we will be doing jazz and more jazz.”
Big Josh announced that he will host two major jazz events next month, one in Bulawayo and the other in Harare, under a new concept dubbed “The Moving Jazz Café”.
“Jazz 105 presents The Moving Jazz Café; we are back with this jazz festival after a decade’s break,” he explained.
“The reason I am back is because I am a promoter at heart, I am a jazz promoter by dedication and I am a jazz promoter by passion. That is why I have decided to come up with these two jazz concerts to bring jazz aficionados together.”
The “Moving Jazz Café” concept was adopted because there is no longer a dedicated venue like the former Jazz 105 in Harare to cater for the genre.
“What will be happening now is we will be taking jazz to different parts of the country as we strive to promote this lovely genre,” Hozheri added.
The first comeback event will be held at The Kings Kraal in Bradfield, Bulawayo, on August 8, featuring performances by Bekezela, the legendary Hudson, Vuyo Brown and Louis Mhlanga.
The following day, August 9, the show will move to Centurion in Harare, where Sub-Sahara Tribe, Jabavu Drive, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Victor Kunonga and the international icon Louis Mhlanga are expected to perform.
Support
“This will be a two-day event. I am impressed by the corporate support that we have received so far,” said the promoter.
“We have partnered with NetOne, Ingwebu Breweries, Romapix Construction, LED Car Rental, Best Car Rental and Travel. Negotiations are ongoing with Delta Beverages, Schweppes Zimbabwe and others for them to come on board and support this initiative.”
He also talked about the market gap he intends to fill.
“The mature crowd of Zimbabwe had nothing spectacular happening for them. Zimdancehall and sungura have been dominating the entertainment charts and that left a vacuum that I really feel I should come in and cover.”
This marks the much-awaited return of Big Josh, renowned for organising classy jazz festivals that cater for mature crowds.
“It is not only going to be a jazz festival; it is going to be a jazz experience like you have never experienced before,” he promised.
For continuity, he has also roped in youthful promoters.
“I am ageing, thus I am working with young promoters in this initiative, the likes of Roy Zuka, Taz (Mehluli Moyo) and my younger brother Taka Hozheri, whom I want to learn from me,” he added.
“I do not want jazz music or interest in it to die, hence I am working with these young promoters so that I can pass on the baton to them. This will be a top-notch event, and we are urging jazz lovers to come out in their numbers.
“It is an honour to work with a legend like Josh,” said Taz, expressing his excitement about the mentorship.
“He has so much to offer and is a nice person to work with. We are learning a lot.”
Online Reporter