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Botswana: Afro-Jazz Artistes Delight Music Lovers
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Lekopanye Mooketsi
Gaborone
Botswana's women of song Punah Gabasiane and Nono Siile lived up to their reputation during their show held at the Millennium Jazz Restaurant on Sunday.
The Afro jazz artistes, who were performing separately, gave electrifying performances much to the delight of music lovers who had thronged the jazz joint.
Their splendid show proved that local music has indeed come of age. These days Batswana also support local music. Despite the fact that it was duringthe Easter holiday when many people go to the villages the Millennium was packed to the rafters.
When she went on stage Punah performed as if her life depended on that song.
She sang with gusto and her choreography was also out of this world.
Punah's band comprised gifted youngsters. But on the keyboard was the veteran Lekofi Sejeso. With Bra Lekofi on the keyboard you can never go wrong. He never strikes a wrong chord.
The beauty of a live band is that you can witness sheer individual skills. You can see a guy hammering away at the drums as if he is possessed. Punah belted out songs from her old album, Nna Iyoo and the new one Tshwaraganang. The artiste, who used to sing in a church choir, has now graduated to the bigger stage.
Nono Siile closed the show and revellers could not ask for more. She had rehearsed well for this show. She opened the act with her song Sheleng. Then she did a rendition of PJ Powers' Jabulani. Siile also belted out songs by her mentor, the late Duncan Senyatso.
Since this show was about promoting her album, she also played her own songs. Even the frequent blackouts did not dampen the show.
When the patrons were leaving after the show there were no chants of "we wuz robbed". It appears that everyone was given his/her money's worth.
The two women have embarked on a musical collaboration that will take them on a countrywide tour to promote their albums. Punah is promoting her album called Tshwaragang while Nono's CD is Kgarebe.
The two songbirds started with an outstanding performance in Mochudi at the Jazz Brew that was followed by another brilliant show at Boatle jazz garden. During the Easter weekend, they also performed at Khudu ya Mowana in Mahalapye. In all these shows, music lovers witnessed the true Botswana live jazz sounds and vibes.
This Friday, the women in jazz will be performing at Sticking Fingers in Kanye. Punah told Showbiz that their schedule would take them to the northern part of the country next month.
Jazz promoter Shima Monageng, who organised the Millennium concert, said the two women are on the right track by taking the initiative to promote their albums countrywide. He said it is not easy but they should persevere and positive results will follow. "I hope other local artistes will appreciate the fact that the best way for them to promote their recorded material is by staging live performances for their fans," said 'Uncle Shima' who also hosts Gabz FM jazz programme, The Joy of Jazz fusion show.
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On Sunday just before their concert, Siile and Punah participated in Monageng's programme dedicated to outgoing President Festus Mogae.
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