Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
TRUMPETS, saxophones and pianos will blow the roof off the Alliance Française in Bulawayo, marking the commencement of the fifth edition of the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival 2022 on October 28.
The two-day music extravaganza is set to conclude in Harare on October 29 with guitar maestro Louis Mhlanga headlining a stellar line-up of seasoned jazz artistes set to serenade revellers.
The Bulawayo show will be a free one and will see township jazz exponents The Cool Crooners, Rute Mbangwa, Ngoma iNgoma and jazz ensemble Buhle leNgqondo entertaining the crowd.
The Zimbabwe Jazz Festival which has been a constant fixture in the capital city will be held under the theme, “Creative Freedom” and this will be the first time that it extends to other cities.
Bra Louis as Louis Mhlanga is widely-known will lead Intotal, TGV Entertainment, Prince Edward Jazz Band, Tanga wekwaSando, Dudu Manhenga, Jeys Marabini, and Jazz Invitation at the Alliance Française in Harare.
In a statement, festival director Filbert Marova said expanding the territory for the festival has been a long time coming and excitement is in the air.
“We are delighted that for the first time, the festival is happening in two cities. After the bleak Covid lockdown years, some of our objectives have been met, and more restaurants and venues in Harare are opening up to live jazz music entertainment after the genre made a comeback with sustained events by ‘Back2Jazzics’,” said Marova.
The organisers said the idea is to revive the jazz genre in Bulawayo.
“The festival kicks off in Bulawayo at the Alliance Française on Friday 28 October 2022 with an exciting lineup of jazzists, from some of the freshest young talent – the vibrant Ngoma Ingoma – to the most senior exponents of township jazz, the Cool Crooners. It will be graced by ladies of Jazz – Rute Mbangwa and Buhle le Ngqondo.
“To celebrate this new jazz development in Bulawayo, entrance is free. We are bringing jazz back to the people again, and they will love it,” organisers said.
As a drumroll to the event, musician Buhle and saxophonist Sunny Tee performed at Three Daughters in Khumalo earlier this month. – @eMKlass_49
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