The Sunday Mail
Hard on the heels of runaway successes at the Bush Fire Festival in Swaziland and the Azgo Festival in Maputo, superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi returns home to headline the 15th edition of the Winter Jazz Festival this Friday.The internationally travelled artiste, who last staged a public show in the capital on April 25 at the Harare International Conference Centre, shares the stage with the dynamic Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah.
Township Jazz lovers will also be served with the best melodies of the genre when Tanga Wekwa Sando takes to the stage alongside the aforementioned artistes at the giant City Sports Centre.
And to spice up the night, Ammara Brown will also serenade music lovers with her well-known energetic acts that has seen her perform at some of the country’s best platforms including the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).
Eye candy Ammara, who recently released a single, Crucify Me, off her upcoming album, will do a collaborative act on stage with Jah Prayzah with whom she did the song Kure Kure.
The City Sports Centre show, which is the highlight of the Winter Jazz Festival, is expected to test the star power of some of Zimbabwe’s finest musicians as previous editions of the festival have been headlined by foreign acts.
In the past, Josh Hozheri, the organiser of the festival, brought in foreign jazz artistes like Tsepo Tsola, Kunle Ayo, Max Vidima, Ringo Madlingozi, Soul Brothers, Selaelo Selota and Judith Sephuma, to name just a few.
However, this year, Hozheri and team have put their faith in local talent as Tuku’s fans are seriously starved of live shows by the star performer while Jah Prayzah’s legion of fans are eager to see him perform his latest releases on a big stage.
The City Sports Centre gig presents a perfect opportunity for Jah Prayzah to prove his critics wrong. Festival organiser Hozheri, who groomed Jah Prayzah for the big stage at his then vibrant Jazz 105 in the city centre, said he has been following the musician’s career and believes the singer is on the right path.
“When I gave him a slot at Jazz 105 every Wednesday, my friends and fellow promoters thought I was crazy, but within months Jah Prayzah had become the most-sought-after act in the capital and eventually in the country.
“I then took another gamble and put him and Suluman at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza and it was a full house. On Friday I am confident that he will rise to the occasion and prove his critics wrong. He has a new exciting choreography that will leave music fans spellbound,” said the enthusiastic Hozheri.
Sulu, who has been sampling songs from his upcoming album due for release this August, has also promised a show to remember.
“As artistes, we live for big shows like these. This is where we show our class and show our fans that their faith in us is not misplaced. This is a young band driving a big brand – we still have so much to offer and on Friday we will be on top of our game,” said Sulu’s publicist, Joe Nyamungoma.
Having started off at a modest Sports Diner before moving to the classy Jazz 105 and the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, the Winter Jazz Festival’s top night, which is this year being held at the City Sports Centre, is likely to set the capital on fire.
