Harare International Carnival kicks-off
By Sharon Muguwu
HARARE – The Harare International Carnival (Carnival) kicks-off today with a Jazz Festival at the Spook House in Msasa.
The line-up is intriguing with continental and local musicians taking part.
Spokesperson for the festival, Munyaradzi Simango said they are bringing back the glory days of the Jazz Festival.
Harare Jazz Festival is organised by the same team that has run it since inception in 2009, led by festival founder and artistic director Sam Mataure. And they are working in partnership with the Harare International Carnival.
“Fans should expect authentic, organic Afro-jazz presented in new and innovative ways to ensure excellent value for the fans. The show will migrate across different township jazz concepts and sub-genres in a cross-fertilisation of ideas that creates a fresh, unique production with a universal appeal,” he said.
This year’s celebration of jazz will feature some unexpected and exciting collaborations.
In line with this, Oliver Mtukudzi will feature Mbare Trio, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Suzanna Owiyo and Family Voices on his set slated for three o’clock in the afternoon.
“Running under the theme ‘Tributes and Memories’, the high profile event will for the first time showcase fresh Zimbabwean talent.
These include Intotal, Vee Mukarati, Buhle, Nyengeterai Zembe, The Outfit, Family Voices and Norman Masamba.
“Besides presenting their own original music, the young artists will perform, with a fresh take, renditions of some of the iconic anthems composed by trailblazing Zimbabwean jazz pioneers to pay tribute to their forerunners’ contribution to the industry.
“The festival has this year partnered with ZTA under the carnival banner. This arrangement signifies that the festival has gained recognition as an important event on the national arts events calendar. It is a great endorsement and it allows the organizers of the Jazz Festival and the Carnival to share synergies that make operations easier to manage,” said Simango.
Regional artists include — Louis Mhlanga, Judith Sephuma, Oliver Mtukudzi, Kunle Ayo, Michael Philips (South Africa), Malawian guitar wizard Erik Paliani and Kenyan songstress Suzanna Owiyo.
Local artists include Filbert Marova, Mbare Trio, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana, Intotal, Vee Mukarati, Buhle, Nyengeterai Zembe, The Outfit, Family Voices and Norman Masamba.
Simango said local artistes will gain more from the festival.
“Artistes appearing in the Harare Jazz Festival stage for this first time this year will benefit from the exposure to a wider audience and the exchange of creative ideas with established artistes that make part of the festival experience.”
The Programme:
• 14:15 – 14:50 — Vee Mukarati
• 15:00 – 16:00 — Oliver Mtukudzi featuring Suzanna Owiyo, Family Voices, Mbare Trio, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana
• 16:10 – 16:40 — The Outfit
• 16:50 – 17:30 — Michael Philips, Eric Piliani
• 17:40 – 18:10 — Norman Masamba
• 18:20 – 19:00 — InTotal
• 19:10 – 19:50 — Filbert Marova featuring Buhle, Nyengeterai
• 20:00 – 21:00 — Louis Mhlanga
• 21:10 – 21:50 — Kunle Ayo
• 22:00 – Till late —Judith Sephuma
The show costs $25 single, $250 for a table of 10.
The festival has entered into a ground breaking partnership with ZOL Zimbabwe. Under the partnership, ZOL will provide internet connectivity through ZOLspot.
The ZOLspot internet service will be offered free of charge to the festival audience during the event. This will keep fans connected with friends across the globe on various social media platforms, allowing them to post images and messages in real time as the festival progresses. Daily News
