2013-10-25Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK- This is one show not to be missed. The Windhoek Jazz Festival which promises one o the highlights if not the highlights on the City of Windhoek, and perhaps the whole country’s entertainment calendar this year. And this festival, an annual event assume special importance this year as Windhoekers and Namibians gets the chance to bid one of the region’s if not the continent’s great jazzist of all times, Hugh Masekela who have been billed to be retiring soon. The festival at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow also features another international star, Bulelwa Mkutukana, better and popularly known as Zahara. Not only this but City of Windhoek Public Relations Officer Lydia Amunyela, promises the festival to be bigger this time around coinciding with the much anticipated Adventure World Travel Summit “welcoming event” which will be hosted in Windhoek for about 700 adventurers. Utjiua Muinjangue a big fan of Masekela who purchased her ticket on Wednesday, says she is looking forward to see Masekele live on stage. “This is such an honour to see Masekela live, I can’t wait to see him on stage, as I only use to see him on TV, I will dance the whole night. He is my favourite artist of all times,” says the excited Muinjangue. Kapurua Honga could not even hold his excitement when Artlife contacted him. “I am up the moon. I cannot even express how I am feeling now. I am about to reach my 50 and those are the type of music I use to listen to and still want to hear.” He says he has been attending the festival for the past few years but believes this year is going to be the best history to him. “I am happy they are bringing Zahara, she is new and I like what she does with the guitar but the motto is the big boy Masekela. I wish the camera will be there to zoom me because I will dance like never before,” says Honga adding he will not miss this for anything in the world, “Saturday must come already.” Masekela is an internationally famed South African trumpeter, flugelhorns, corniest, composer and singer. He is well-known for his extensive jazz background and credentials, and enjoyed major success in his singing for peace, harmony and unity in the world. The second act to grace the stage is Zahara. She is a singer with a strong voice, a song-writer and poet, well-known for her debut album Loliwe released in 2011, and proved to be a big success in her musical career, which won her several awards. Both artists are by no means strangers to Namibia having already performed in the country. The festival is also featuring local jazzy acts like Fu Jazz All Star team that has helped keep jazz alive in Namibia; Erna Chimu known for her fusion of afro-jazz, filled with deep, mellow tones and a surprising burst of energy; MOJ’s, a three artists band with a musical style mostly rooted around jazz; Elemotho, the first Namibian musician to win the RFI-France 24 Discoveries Awards- 2012. Ama-khoe born out of musical family, Elemotho started his musical journey with acoustic guitar and later changed to bass guitar. Last year he released his debut album which was nominated in five categories and won him an award at the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs); Big Ben who have established himself as a musical legend in Namibia and recently won the best instrumentation/jazz award at the NAMAs this year; and Mahetage he has been a music producer for sometimes, and performs Afro Jazz and Contemporary Jazz genres. Tickets to the festival are available at Comp ticket outlets, Shoprite and Checkers countrywide for N$200 in advance and N$250 at the gate. The gates will open from 16h00. Old Mutual Namibia, Windhoek Lager, Air Namibia, 99 FM, Jameson, Ad Force and National Arts Council are hosting the festival. 2013-10-25Staff Report 2
