Miriam Makeba, the empress of African music will headline the Kampala Jazz Festival at Speke Resort Munyonyo this evening.

The festival will pay homage to the 76-year-old South African, famous for her classic hits like Malaika.

"Miriam Makeba is not only a great musician and a symbol for African music and jazz, but also a source of inspiration and hope. Her long musical career and struggle for freedom still motivates and directs young African artistes today," said one of the event organisers Gal Hertz. "We see it as a great privilege to dedicate the first Jazz Festival in Uganda to her honour," he added.

Apart from the Grammy Award winning Makeba performing her songs spanning over five decades, other artistes are expected to interpret her music in their own styles during the Warid sponsored jazz festival. The opening night will also feature renowned Ugandan saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa and the Third World Love band from Israel.

"Third World Love" is a successful Israeli Jazz band, which combines jazz with Israeli and international sound in an inspiring way," a release from the organisers stated.

"The band was born as a unique musical brotherhood that has resulted in numerous sold-out tours and three highly successful recordings, Third World Love Songs, Avanim and Sketch of Tel Aviv." Three of the band's members originate from Israel and one from New York.

Zimbabwe's major musical export Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi will headline tomorrow's show. Born in 1952 in Highfield, Harare, Mtukudzi began performing in 1977 and he has released more than 40 albums and can't remember the number of awards he's won.

Sundiata and Ugandan bands Soul Beat Africa and Baxmba waves will also perform during the night. Entrance to the festival is Shs250,000 for a V.I.P ticket on both days or Shs100,000 for one night. Ordinary tickets go for Shs35,000 for two days and Shs20,000 for one day.

Hertz revealed that in addition to the performances at Munyonyo, there will be jazz workshops at Ndere Centre in Ntinda. Activities will include showing of jazz movies, meetings with artistes, a traditional musical instruments show and Afro-Jazz performances.