Ashley Dean Misho | Arts and Entertainment Reporter
Music possesses a unique power to transcend boundaries, acting as a universal language that fosters connection and cultural exchange. This power is celebrated annually in Zimbabwe through its premier musical gathering, the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival.
Founded in 2016, the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust is led by artistes and jazz enthusiasts dedicated to reviving and preserving Zimbabwean jazz culture. The festival highlights exceptional artists, including established Zimbabwean jazz musicians and emerging international performers, creating a diverse and innovative jazz experience.
Scheduled for mid-September, the festival is strategically designed to bring its rhythmic offerings to both of the nation’s major cities. The weekend of music commences in the City of Kings, Bulawayo, on Friday, 12 September, at the Alliance Française on Heyman Road.
The event will run from 6 PM to 10 PM, offering an evening of immersive sound. The following day, Saturday, 13 September, the capital city, Harare, will host an extended celebration at the Alliance Française on Herbert Chitepo Avenue. From 2 PM to 10 PM, the venue will resonate with eight hours of continuous, diverse performances, allowing for a deeper exploration of the jazz genre.
The Bulawayo leg is headlined by the prodigious Bulawayo-born talent, Dudu Manhenga, whose “afrojazz adventure” sound promises to captivate her home audience. She is joined by the award-winning saxophonist Vee Mukarati, whose formal training in Europe has equipped him with a sophisticated and thrilling performance style.
The Harare celebration expands on this foundation, welcoming back artNow in its eighth year in Harare and its fourth in Bulawayo, the 2025 edition promises to be a vibrant testament to the enduring appeal and evolving nature of jazz, blending local traditions with global influences to create an unforgettable experience for all.scene.
Audiences will be treated to the bass virtuosity of Josh Meck, the Afro-contemporary fusion of Rute Mbangwa, and the culturally rich folk-jazz blends of Charles ‘Mahlaba’ Banda. Crucially, the festival also pays homage to its roots with performances by the Mbare Jazz collective, dedicated to preserving Zimbabwe’s township jazz heritage, and the accomplished vocalist NokuTenda with The Legacy Band.
Beyond the entertainment, the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival represents a significant cultural initiative. As articulated by Filbert Marova, Artistic Director of the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust, the event is “a vibrant celebration of music’s power to connect us.”
This is evident in its emphasis on international collaboration, particularly through “The Zambezi Sessions” project, which uses music to build artistic bridges across southern Africa.
The support from the Alliance Française and various international embassies underscores the event’s role in fostering diplomatic and cultural dialogue through the arts.
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