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B Metro Reporter
While all manner of festivals are springing up around the country in the Zimbabwean summer, ‘people of jazz’ are invited to zoom in on the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival.
Bulawayo will host the event on 20 September, and Harare will host the second segment on 21 September. The festival is organised by The Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust in partnership with Alliance Francaise in the two cities.
“Jazz-lovers know what they want, and are sure to find the real deal in its vivid array of colours, with something for everyone from blended R&B, soul and jazz influences, to the fascinating improvisational style of veteran afro jazzists; young groups incorporating some of the rich, diverse music styles of Zimbabwe; beloved jazz singers, home-grown grassroots improvisation, top class classics from jazz masters of the country, and up-and-coming youngsters already entering the festival stage,” said the organisers in a statement.
Headlining the festival are two exceptional artists, guest singer and songwriter, the widely acclaimed Nnavy (Switzerland), courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland, and Zimbabwe’s jazz luminary, trumpeter Paul Lunga.
Alongside Lunga and NNavy – who are performing at both events – are George Phahlane, and Ngoma iNgoma, Hellenic Academy Big Band, Steve Chikotie, Rhythmic Pulse, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana and Agga Nyabinde. Tickets for the festival are US$10 in Bulawayo and US$20 in Harare.
“People of jazz are advised to get tickets in advance from the Alliance Francaise offices, to avoid disappointment in the event of sold-out events. In the week leading up to the great performances expected at the festival, networking and valuable workshops will be taking place, free for all: 18 September in Harare for schools hosted by Nnavy at Prince Edward High School– an excellent opportunity for music students from schools to learn from this renowned artist who has reached the world.”
The Bulawayo workshop will be conducted by Lunga on 19 September at Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo.
Online Reporter