Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Richmore Tera
16 July 2008
Harare — TOP Nigerian jazz musician Kunle Ayo is expected to jet into the country tomorrow morning ahead of his performance on Friday at the Winter Jazz Festival at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Before the gig, the West African musician will take the opportunity to tour Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton as well as a number of orphanages in Harare.
Ayo will share the stage with legendary Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi and Rute Mbangwa for the festival's Friday slot.
Meanwhile, the Winter Jazz Festival is set to roar to life tomorrow evening at Jazz 105 with talented jazz artistes Summer Breeze and Aaron Yafele billed to be the opening acts. Attendance is strictly by invitation.
The second leg of the event then shifts to the HICC on Friday, while school jazz bands Prince Edward and Churchill entertain revellers on Saturday afternoon at Jazz 105.
Organiser of the event Josh Hozheri said they had included the two school outfits in their line-up to afford them a platform to showcase their talents at a commercial level.
"We really feel we need to give them a proper commercial environment to play their music where they can also learn how to stage from seasoned musicians.
"They are the future of tomorrow, what happens when Oliver Mtukudzi is gone? So naturally there should be a smooth transition," he said.
Hozheri said they were also encouraging schools from the high-density suburbs to take advantage of their music programme.
Malethar - the reigning jazz artiste of the year at Jazz 105 -- will team up with Willis Watafi, Jazz Invitation and Summer Breeze to bring the roof down on Saturday evening before Summer Breeze, Selmor Mtukudzi, Dino Mudondo and Transit Crew bring the curtain down on Sunday night.
Hozheri said the idea of including non-jazz artistes as part of the proceedings was borrowed from the recently ended 9th edition of the Cape Town Jazz Festival held on March 28-29 where non-jazz musicians such as Zola 7, Squatta Camp and Soul Brothers performed.
"By including Transit Crew and Dino Mudondo, who play reggae, we are trying to say in music people need to share.
"You can love your jazz while at the same time you may love the way a reggae tune is done.
"We are also trying to promote unity among musicians. As artistes, they have to learn something from one another. Next year we hope to invite Alick Macheso because the way he plays his bass guitar is very inspiring," he said.
Hozheri, however, urged other musicians who failed to make it at this year's edition not to despair, saying they should come and cheer on their fellow musicians.
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