Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust (ZJCT), in partnership with Alliance Française in Zimbabwe, is gearing up for the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival 2025, promising a dynamic fusion of local legends and international jazz talents.
The festival kicks off in Bulawayo on Friday before moving to Harare on Saturday. It marks the eighth edition in Harare and the fourth in Bulawayo, continuing its mission of spotlighting Zimbabwe’s jazz excellence alongside global artists.
The show at Alliance Française de Bulawayo will feature powerhouse performers, including Dudu Manhenga, award-winning saxophonist Vee Mukarati, the Frank Salis Experience, a cross-continental ensemble led by Swiss composer Frank Salis, and the Tich Makalisa Band, blending Zimbabwean and South African talents.
Harare’s festival expands into an eight-hour celebration (2–10pm) at Alliance Française de Harare, featuring Vee Mukarati and The Frank Salis Experience, bass genius Josh Meck, genre-blending innovator Rute Mbangwa, Afro-fusion pioneer Charles “Mahlaba” Banda of Sunduza, township jazz ensemble Mbare Jazz, and vocalist NokuTenda with The Legacy Band
This year’s edition coincides with the ambitious “Frank Salis Experience – The Zambezi Sessions”, a two-week regional residency and tour. Five musicians from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Switzerland, Italy, and the US will perform in Lusaka (5 September), Mutare (7 September), and Victoria Falls (10 September), culminating in the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival concerts.
Filbert Marova, ZJCT artistic director, highlighted the festival’s purpose.
“The 2025 Zimbabwe Jazz Festival celebrates music’s power to connect us. This programme fuses jazz heritage with bold innovation, creating an unforgettable experience that honours our past while embracing the future. The Alliance Française in Zimbabwe has been a vital partner in making this possible.”
Fanny Gauthier, director of Alliance Française de Harare, added: “The festival builds bridges between cultures, bringing Zimbabwean and international artistes together. The Frank Salis Experience – The Zambezi Sessions highlights cross-border collaboration, extending the spirit of dialogue across Southern Africa. We are proud to support creativity, cultural exchange, and the artistic dynamism of Zimbabwe.”
Guillaume Ripaud, director of Alliance Française de Bulawayo, noted:
“This fourth edition in Bulawayo demonstrates the festival’s growth and international reach. Our partnership with ZJCT and Zimbabwean artistes, both local and abroad, continues to strengthen. The festival positions Alliance Française as a hub where art resonates and all are welcome.”
Founded in 2016, the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust is led by artistes and jazz enthusiasts dedicated to reviving and preserving Zimbabwean jazz culture.
Following last year’s “Sizzling Rhythms” edition featuring UK-based Zimbabwean Paul Lunga and Swiss singer NNAVY, the 2025 festival promises to elevate Zimbabwe as a nexus of jazz innovation and cross-cultural harmony. – Follow on X: @MbuleloMpofu
