The Sunday Mail
FORGET sungura, dancehall, house, hip-hop or any other music genre that has filled the Zimbabwean music space this year — a festival for the musical elite is finally here — the Carnival Harare Jazz Festival. Say what you may, but jazz is no music for every Tom, Dick and Harry.
Just a look at the programme for the day, which by the way is this Saturday, leaves genuine music lovers, the patient but intent listeners of every guitar, drum or saxophone sound, aroused in anticipation. Talk of Nigerian superstar — Kunle Ayo, for instance, one of Africa’s best guitarists who draws comparisons with the likes of Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, John Coltrane and George Benson, and the festival is already something to look forward to.
Add Zimbabwe’s renowned guitar magician, Louis Mhlanga, who is based in South Africa, and already it is a mouth-watering line-up. Locally, Mhlanga has worked with such acts such as Shaka, Talking Drum, Ilanga, Mudzimu, and Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi while in South Africa, he has collaborations with renowned South African artistes such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri, Sipho Mabuse, Mlungisi Gegane, and Busi Mhlongo.
The last time Louis performed in Harare, which is about two years ago, he left music fans clamouring for more.
But then, there is more. Tuku, the internationally travelled superstar who celebrates his 63rd birthday next week will also be in action and so will Aunty Dot, whom we have learnt is not Dorothy Masuka but Masuku.
The Zimbabwean-born but South African-based Aunty Dot, who celebrated her birthday in Avondale recently with friends and colleagues over a red carpet dinner, will also be singing at the festival.
That’s not all, Kenyan Suzanna Owiyo, South Africa’s Judith Sephuma and Malawi’s Eric Paliani will be in the house and have all promised top drawer acts that will see jazz lovers on their feet throughout their performances.
In total, this show features 17 artistes from around the continent including a band called Intotal, an energetic four-man afro-classic outfit from Bulawayo, which will play alongside another band called Outfit — wow — only in jazz.
Other artistes set to perform include Vee Mukarati, Filbert Marova, Buhle, Nyengererai, Michael Philips (South Africa) and Norman Masamba.
Family Voices, Mbare Trio and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana will all feature on Tuku’s hour long set, a must see, as the superstar defends his territory with a mixed bag of some of Zimbabwe’s exceptional jazz talents.
The show takes place at the Spook House, yes that’s right, Spook House, a new swanky place along Mutare road, which has become one of the most happening summer hangouts.
Kicking off at 3pm and ending at or after midnight, as the last performer Judith Sephuma, who takes to the stage at 11pm is an unpredictable bundle of energy, this show is really an early Christmas present for the mature and true jazz music lovers.
The organiser of the show, Sam Mataure, who stumbled at the last minute last year after promising a similarly star-studded show, says this Saturday’s event is a go.
“All artistes that are coming from outside the country have confirmed their flights and in turn we have confirmed their accommodations and even availed the programme of the day. This is a definite go. Now we await their performances, which undoubtedly will be electric and are much anticipated by the legion of jazz lovers in this country,” said Mataure.
