Once again, Street Horn Promotions will be taking jazz to the Northern city, Francistown, this weekend. On Friday, Street Horn will be launching the Thapama Hotel jazz joint, Pleasure Island. On Saturday the company would be hosting renowned South-African based guitarist, Louis Mhlanga at the Thapama Lodge.

This will not be Mhlanga's first performance in the country, having been hosted by Street Horn in the past shows.

On previous performances the guitar maestro staged at places like Satchmos'. Mhlanga is also not a stranger to this country since he once lived here. In fact he started his music career here.

Francistown is his second home because this is where the Zimbabwean born attended school. So old locations like Minestone, Blue Town, Area S, Monarch and Area W are familiar to him.

Promoter Soares Katumbela of Street Horn promises that the Saturday show at Thapama Hotel would be sizzling. In his words, this is not a show to miss.

Mhlanga is unrivalled when it comes to mastering the stringed instrument. His distinctive style has earned him respect in the music fraternity in the region. In South Africa, he features on the albums of top musicians. A music giant in his own right, Mhlanga has also released a lot of albums.

Playing is very clear and bright, his melodic feel and superb sense of timing make him a true master on the instrument. This mastery combined with deliberate yet delicate singing voice expresses what a special musician and human being he really is.

Mhlanga has been all over the world, working as a solo artiste or with numerous world-class artistes in duets, trios, quartet ensemble and even full orchestras.

He will be accompanied by Basi Mahlasela (percusions), Randal Skippers (keyboards), Michael Phillips (bass) and Sello Montwedi (drums).

Mhlanga was born in Salisbury, now Harare, but moved to Francistown when he was still young. That was before Rhodesia became independent Zimbabwe. He is currently based in South Africa.

DJ SK, as Katumbela is known, will usher the audience into the playing his CD collection until Mhlanga's first set. DJ Clarence will play oldies and classics during break and after Mhlanga's second set.

Meanwhile, Katumbela said on Friday, Street Horn Promotion, in conjunction with Cresta Thapama, will launch the Pleasure Island, a pub and restaurant garden facility at the hotel. As a jazz venue, the Island has been hosting jazz artistes and DJs on a monthly basis, courtesy of Street Horn Promotions.

Katumbela said Thapama Hotel would operate the Jazz Island as a notable premier venue for adult entertainment in the city. He said the venue would provide an unequalled quality jazz ambience everyday starting on Friday.

The music will be provided by jazz DJs SK, Uncle KK and DJ Clarence. On Friday, Mhlanga and his band will meet with the invitees and sign autographs for those who have bought his CDs. Street Horn membership forms will be available for those who wish to join the jazz club.