The Sunday Mail
THE entry of two babies in the jazz fraternity, Jazz 24/7 and Time and Jazz Café, did not attract the typical ululation associated with successful birthing. Jazz 24/7 is situated at the former Jazz 105; while the former proprietor of the said Jazz 105, Josh Hozheri, opened Time and Jazz Café at Cresta Oasis — both in Harare’s CBD.
There were reports that Hozheri was livid over the use of a brand he created and fortified by the newbie. The brand Jazz 105 appeared on Jazz 24/7 launch posters, though in brackets.
A blood and thunder battle inside and outside courtrooms was anticipated. But none of that will happen, now.
Hozheri told The Sunday Mail Leisure that he had no hard feelings against the upstart and wished him all the best.
After an initial outburst, the veteran promoter said he had no beef with the new player using a brand he created and popularised for more than a decade.
Hozheri was, however, quick to point out that it was the people he trusted — and not the new guy — were the ones who had made him lose his cool.
And one of the people who made him lose his cool was Dendera crooner Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu, whom he labels as “ungrateful” and a “betrayer”.
This is because Sulu, a man who he helped break into the big time, was last week billed to perform at the launch of the Jazz 24/7 without extending the courtesy of informing Hozheri.
Hozheri says other artistes invited to the launch had told him and explained their decisions.
“Yes, I got angry in the first instance since I felt greatly betrayed, but things are now back to normal after I made wider consultations with my council. The matter is now water under the bridge and I will not be taking any legal action as earlier suggested,” said Hozheri.
“In fact I have resorted to focusing on growing and improving my new club. Whatever they are doing will not be my business. I developed this model and I know how best to further expand it. In short I wish them the best.”
Certainly the path Hozheri has decided to take is the best for arts development in the country. The coming on board of a new player in the showbiz is a welcome development as a number of imbibing joints are folding operations with each passing moment.
Hozheri was not done.
He said his former manager Yassin Dhala played double agent, visiting Time and Jazz to source information for his now new boss, only identified as Knowledge.
“I have worked with Yassin before and I’m the one that helped him secure a housing stand that is adjacent to one owned by my young brother. But I was disappointed with the way he acted in this whole saga. I heard through grapevine that he was planning to work with a new guy, who wanted to take over my brand but he denied (it) when I asked him about it,” said Hozheri.
“But one day he came to my bar with his new boss, who started taking pictures. He took pictures of portraits and the set up in the bar but Yassin acted as if he did not know the guy. I was then later told he is the fellow who was planning to re-open my former bar using the same brand Jazz 105 by other people.” While everyone knows Jazz 105 is Hozheri’s brand, it should be noted that the “105” is derived from the physical address of the venue along Sam Nujoma Street.
Apart from the former Jazz 105 manager, Dhala, the new owner has also hired a number of staff members who used to work for Hozheri. Oddly, by the time of writing the new owner had not given his name and was not taking calls.
His manager, Dhala, claimed he did not really know his new boss: “His name is Knowledge but I don’t know his surname.”
Reports, though, are that he is the same guy who operates the popular K2 bar in Kuwadzana. Harare.
Dhala said Hozheri was unnecessarily angry with him.
“He is just shouting at me and I don’t know why. Yes, the guy who now operates Jazz 24/7 visited Time and Jazz Café soon after it was opened but it was not for any sinister move. Rather, Josh called me when he was still around having drinks and I introduced him,” he said.
The Jazz 24/7 manager added: “A plan and concept was already in motion hence there is no way that I could have stolen his. I have worked in a number of bars so would it be fair if those guys also come claiming that I selling their concepts to my new boss?”
And then there is Hozheri’s issue with singer Sulu, who was expected to perform at the new joint on 105 Sam Nujoma Street.
“I helped Sulu from the trenches, but this is how he decides to pay me back. His other guys that were approached to take part on the birth of this new project had the courtesy to inform me but he decided to play under the radar.
“He forgets that I compromised my jazz brand and lost a good number of my patrons when I started accommodating him in a bid to boost his career. Also, I’m the one who paid the group’s first salary when he took over the band from his uncle Allan not forgetting that I with the help of the then Kiglon director helped him acquire his first PA system,” charged Hozheri.
However, Sulu is maintaining his cool.
“I don’t have anything to say. Let him say whatever he wants, its okay,” said the musician.
