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Alliance Française launches jazz rendezvous

Life & Style
ALLIANCE Française will next Frida

ALLIANCE Française will next Friday launch the iWayAfrica Jazz Rendezvous, a new series of live jazz concerts. Report by Munya Simango, Own Correspondent

  The performances which are scheduled to take place once every six weeks, will be held in the verdant environs of the garden at Niche Bistro and Wine Bar, an annex of Alliance Française in Harare.

  Origami, a new jazz outfit that was recently formed by talented jazz composer, pianist and keyboard player Tich Makalisa will perform at the premiere of the iWayAfrica Jazz Rendezvous series.  Origami is a collective of Harare-based musicians that provides a platform for jazz musicians to perform and showcase their artistry.

  The opening show of the series will bring together the talents of Josh Meck (bass), Blessing Muparutsa (drums) and young Matthew Ngorima from Prince Edward Jazz Band on guitar with Tich on keyboards.

  Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, who is currently riding high on her debut album entitled Prudence, will make a special guest appearance on the night.

  Makalisa, who is also the artistic director of the concert series, said different artists and bands will be showcased at the venue over the next few months.

  Commenting on the project, Makalisa said: “These concerts are really about bringing back the dignity to the word jazz. It has been misused a lot in Zimbabwe and we want to give real jazz fans a chance to experience real jazz.

  “We will be performing some quality jazz and all of it is original music that I composed for my debut album which we plan to be record and release next year.”

  The organisers of Jazz Rendezvous, Alliance Française have over the years actively promoted music and culture in Zimbabwe with particular focus on culture exchange.

  “France has a strong jazz tradition as the legendary American jazz musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane used to perform and live in Paris in from 50s.

  “The genre was made popular through the famous jazz festivals in the South of France,” said executive director of Alliance Française in Harare, Charles Houdart.

  “We are proud to present iWayAfrica Jazz Rendezvous to fans in Harare. The concerts will be held in the garden with a relaxed, comfortable environment under the beautiful night sky with exclusive, soulful, sultry and sensational vibes in the atmosphere.

  “Jazz lovers should expect some very exciting times ahead as we plan to bring some jazz musicians from France to perform here as part of the concert series.”

  The series of jazz concerts are sponsored by iWayAfrica, an Internet services provider that has a long standing relationship with Alliance Française. Regarding the partnership, Nhena Nyagura, iWayAfrica’s head of business said:

 

“We are well known for supporting the arts as this is an important way for our business to engage with the public. We particularly supported jazz as it is one of the popular music genres in Zimbabwe, especially with our customers.

  “We are proud to support this wonderful initiative and iWayAfrica is committed to Alliance Française and to our customers.  We will continue to support this and various other initiatives for as long as possible.”