Staff Writer
Jazz Community can look forward to another diverse offering at the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival this September.
Dubbed ‘Sizzling Rhythms’ – the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival will be held in Harare and Bulawayo in the annual treat presented by Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust in partnership with the Alliance Francaise in Zimbabwe.
Headlining the festival are two special artists, Zimbabwe’s very own PAUL LUNGA aka ‘King of Jazz Horns’ and NNAVY.
Lunga is one of the legends of jazz history in Zimbabwe based in London where he performs Afrojazz sound that has captivated audiences at home in Zimbabwe and around the world for over three decades.
Swiss singer-songwriter NNAVY whose unique personal style is a blend of R&B, soul and jazz has captivated audiences widely including prestigious festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz à Vienne, and now graces the Zimbabwe jazz stage in both Bulawayo and Harare – courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe.
The festival kicks off in Bulawayo on Friday 20 September, hosted by Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo at 61 Heyman Road from 6-10pm (US$10) – with an exciting lineup of Paul Lunga, NNavy, George Phahlane, and Ngoma iNgoma.
The Harare event on Saturday 21 September offers a solid eight hours of great music from 2-10pm, featuring Paul Lunga, NNavy, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Agga Nyabinde, Rhythmic Pulse, Steve Chikotie and the Hellenic Academy Big Band. The event is hosted by Alliance Francaise de Harare at 328 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare (US$20).
THE ZIMBABWE JAZZ COMMUNITY TRUST initiative is steered by a committee comprised of both jazz artists and jazz-lovers who aim to revive, promote and preserve the Jazz culture of Zimbabwe, providing quality entertainment and education, thus culturally enriching our country. Established in 2016, the trust immediately set out to stage a series of high-quality jazz performances, featuring both well-known and lesser-known hand-picked local jazz artists to keep the spirit of jazz alive.
Artist Selection – ZJCT Founder and Artistic Director, Filbert Marova, said: “Each year, we embark on a meticulous search to identify the most exceptional artists who have demonstrated remarkable growth Jazz trumpeter Paul Lunga throughout the year.
Our “Back 2 Jazzics” weekly event and the latest releases by local artists serve as valuable scouting grounds. For international artists, we were particularly drawn to Paul Lunga, a UK-based Zimbabwean trumpeter whose contributions to the jazz industry are nothing short of phenomenal.
The Swiss singer Nnavy also captured our attention with her meteoric rise in the past year. Ultimately, our artist selection is driven by a fervent passion for diversity and innovation within the jazz genre. We’ve meticulously curated a lineup that celebrates both established and emerging talents, ensuring a rich tapestry of sounds and styles that resonate with the heart of Zimbabwe’s vibrant jazz scene.”
Acknowledgement and Thanks – Chairperson Robert Basvi, said: “The ZJCT is very grateful to the main sponsors that have remained consistent in sponsoring the annual Zimbabwe Jazz festival, in particular the French Embassy, the Alliance Francaise Harare and Alliance Francaise Bulawayo. Special thanks and credit must go to The Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe, who have facilitated the joining of the celebrated Nnavy, to grace our festival this year.”
The ZJCT Board of Trustees comprises: Chairperson Robert Basvi – engineer/entrepreneur/music analyst; Filbert Marova – pianist, composer, educator; Kumbula Chiweza – educator/jazz fanatic/property consultant; and Tinashe Mukarati – saxophonist/music administrator and entrepreneur.
The newest Board member is Blessing Chaumba, a seasoned and dynamic development/humanitarian project management professional with a strong passion for arts.
Promotional assistance for the Festival is provided by Kunzwana Trust, whose mission is to promote the work of Zimbabwean artists and instrument-makers for fair reward, and who have been strong supporters of Jazz in Zimbabwe over the last two decades.
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