Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, after the capital Harare.
The jazz club, which is part of the Amakhosi Cultural Centre's many arts initiatives and the first of its kind in Bulawayo will afford seasoned and upcoming jazz musicians the chance to perform regularly, while giving a treat to the jazz community that for a long time had been starved of such entertainment.
Since its formation in July, the club has played host to renowned jazz musicians that include Victor Kunonga, Sam Mtukudzi and renowned United States based Max Willd and plans are underway to bring international jazz crooners to stage shows in the city.
Co-ordinator of the club Ishe John Gara, aka King said the formation of the club was meant to revive the music that had been slowly dying in the city, despite of the fact that it was home to seasoned jazz musicians like the Cool Crooners.
“The city has a legion of fans, but unfortunately they have not had an opportunity to attend live shows from jazz musicians, who often prefer to stage such shows in the capital (Harare). “With this initiative, we want to keep jazz fans happy by inviting renowned and upcoming jazz musicians for live shows every Friday, which to date has been well attended. “We want to rekindle the township jazz music and there are a lot of people who have a passion for that type of music.
Gara who is also a jazz musician added that the initiative has been well received by the jazz community that have since put down to paper, musicians that they would want to host shows, courtesy of the club.
“Since its launch, end of July the response has been overwhelming. We are even encouraged to make it bigger and better. Even youngsters, who you would normally expect to attend kwaito shows are attending these jazz treats," said Gara.
The jazz club, which is in collaboration with the Book Caf, where the latter facilitate for the artists' performance at the jazz club, has since partnered with Delta Beverages that will sponsor the performance of some of the artists at the centre.
As part of the club's initiative to promote the music in Bulawayo, the club will this week hold a live show dubbed Eight Bands-Eight Hours of Jazz Music, where jazz groups like the Platinum Band, Jazz Column, the Cool Crooners and the Say Band are expected to rock the crowds.
“This event is part of our preparations for one of the country's premier jazz fetes, the annual Inxusa Jazz Festival that is usually held in November. We hope to make this year's event bigger and better."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
