Windhoek
Ultimately the day is here. Tomorrow is Jazz Day and the annual music festival season reaches the climax with the Jazz Festival that many all over the country have been waiting for.
The curtain raiser is tomorrow as from 15h00 with exciting lined up acts to please all music genre fans. With South African singer/songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler headlining, along with HHP, and local The Fu Jazz band and Lize Ehlers, among others scheduled to perform, there’s definitely something for everyone.
If you love Jazz, then Jonathan Butler’s guitar is a familiar sound. His music is often classified as Jazz-fusion with R&B. Born and raised in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa, during the Apartheid, Butler started singing and playing acoustic guitar as a child. Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers, becoming the first song by a black artist to be played by white radio stations in South Africa. His commitment to his craft paid off with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy for the pop hit, Lies.
HHP – Hip Hop Pansula is a renowned South African Motswako MC. HHP is well known for tracks such as Harambee and his creative live acts. He has performed at Jazz events such as the Afro Jazz & Soul Picnic in South Africa.
The Fu Jazz Band-cum-Fu Jazz All Stars are an eclectic group of professional musicians from different walks of life who have three things in common – supreme craftsmanship, total freedom of improvisation and an insatiable lust for Jazz. The names imply the fusion of various music styles including African sounds combined with international jazz.
Local celebrated singer-songwriter, Lize Ehlers, is a 12 time Namibian Annual Music Awards Nominee for Fairy Circle Love (2011), African Cleavage (2012), Uuyelele (2013) and Best Live performer & best Single Non Album Woestynroos (2014) and Change (2015). She is a recipient of the best Actress Award in Namibia (2007-2008) and works in various forms of art.
Sean K is one of Namibia’s premier Jazz, Neo Soul and Fuck musicians. He launched his first single, Smilling, in 2011, which signified the start of his career as a Namibian musician. His music is inspired by sounds that range from Funk, Jazz to Afro-beat and Gospel. Sean’s music offerings are rich, varied and always cutting edge.
Dixon is a Namibian singer/songwriter with three solo albums to his name: This is me, Thank you, and his latest Strong. His debut album won him two awards at the 2012 Namibia Annual Music Award in the best Ma/gaisa category with the song, /Namsaro as well as most displined artist of the year. Dixon believes that a certain element of his music always touch base with his roots.
Zen-Zo has a voice that is reminiscent of a great African artist from the Congo DRC – Lokua Kanza. He is inspired by top African musicians like Lokua Kanza, Youssou N’Dour Richard Bona and Ringo Madlingozi. He sings in Damara-Nama and has acquired numerous instrumental skills that range from marimbas, the mbira, piano, guitar and the African djembe
Festival goers are reminded that no pets, weapons, drinks or food will be allowed into the venue. Only empty cooler boxes will be allowed as Ice will be sold at the venue, and they should not forget their camping chairs and blankets.
Tickets for the event are available at Computicket outlets countrywide for N$250 in advance. No tickets will be sold at the gate.
Caption: Fu Jazz All Stars is among the local acts performing at the Windhoek Jazz Festival tomorrow at the Dr Hage Geingob Stadium starting from three O’clock in the afternoon.
Picture: Jazz