The highly anticipated Zimbabwe Jazz Festival kicks off today and will bring together local and international artists for a spectacular music experience.

This evening, Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo rolls out the 8th edition of the music extravaganza with performances by George Phahlane and Ngoma iNgoma who will be sharing the stage with sensational Swiss singer-songwriter Nnavy as well as legendary jazz trumpeter Paul Lunga.

This year’s treat is themed “Sizzling Rhythms” and is presented by the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust (ZJCT) in partnership with Alliance Francaise in Zimbabwe.

Tomorrow will see all roads leading to Alliance Francaise de Harare for a solid eight hours of great music scheduled to start from 2pm until 10pm.

Lunga and Nnavy will return for a second dance at the festival to perform alongside songbird Prudence Katomeni, Hellenic Academy Big Band, Mutare-based soloist Steve Chikotie, Agga Nyabinde and Rhythmic Pulse, a dynamic five-piece ensemble from Harare. 

Speaking on the sidelines of an artist meet-and-greet hosted at Alliance Francaise de Harare this past Tuesday, Lunga and Nnavy promised beautiful memories for music attendees. Nnavy is performing in Africa for the first time, courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe.

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The artist expressed her excitement about visiting the country and performing at the festival with her bandmates.

“I am so excited,” Nnavy told IndependentXtra. “People can expect something really soft. I like thinking of my music as a big cuddle or hug; that is what they can look forward to — to be given a big hug.”

Lunga said jazz lovers are going to love the festival performance, adding that his desire is for young upcoming artists to learn more about jazz.

“I would like to encourage upcoming young musicians to learn about jazz because it is a language and in every language for one to speak, you first have to learn it then you can talk it.”

In a press statement, ZJCT founder and artistic director Filbert Marova said “each year, we embark on a meticulous search to identify the most exceptional artists who have demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the year”.

The exciting artist line-up promises a blend of RnB, soul and jazz influences featuring the improvisational styles of veteran afro-jazz artists and young groups that incorporate some of the rich, diverse music styles of Zimbabwe.

Alliance Francaise de Harare director Fanny Gauthier, welcomed the Embassy of Switzerland as a new festival partner supporting Nnavy’s performance. On Wednesday, the artist conducted a school music workshop at Prince Edward High School in Harare, while Lunga led a Bulawayo seminar for musicians interested in exploring jazz and the art of improvisation.  

ZJCT is an initiative steered by a committee comprising both jazz artists and lovers of the music genre who aim to revive, promote and preserve the jazz culture of Zimbabwe, providing quality entertainment and education.

Promotional assistance for the festival is provided by Kunzwana Trust, whose mission is to promote the work of Zimbabwean artists and instrument-makers for fair reward.

Tickets for the Bulawayo chapter of the event are US$10 and US$20 for the Harare finale.