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was magical.
And over the weekend, the Nigerian guitarist warmed up fans with his high-energy solos including other stellar performances by Zimbabwean musicians.
Despite the absence of South Africa’s seasoned trumpeter Hugh Masekela who was scheduled to perform at the third edition of the Harare Jazz Festival, scores of jazz lovers thronged the Rainbow Towers’ Gardens for the high-octane gig.
The wintry nights had forced the huge and beautiful crowd that turned up to dress hot, a sign that this year’s winter season might come sooner than expected.
But as the show peaked with each performance the crowd sweated it out on the dancefloor as if it was their last dance.
From business executives, music promoters to music lovers they all gathered for one thing – a night of bliss and they got just that.
Honestly, who could forget that amazing show by Amanda e la Banda (Amanda and the band) from Italy?
The group’s lively and energetic performance added an exotic flavour to what was already a star-studded line up of performing artistes.
The outfit’s eclectic repertoire is a fusion of music styles, traditions and genres deeply rooted in New Orleans jazz, soul, R’n’B and classic blues.
Amanda e la Banda’s music has that typical 12-bar blues feel with easily recognisable influences of such greats as Aretha Franklin, BB King, Ray Charles, James Cotton and Tina Turner.
Comprising five members Amanda Tosoni (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Andrea Caggiari (bass), Max Covini (drums), Gabrielle Tonsi (guitar and blues harp) and Matteo Boldini on keyboards, the group appealed to the audiences.
Other standout performances came from Zimbabwe Women Artistes, a special production that paid tribute to pioneering Zimbabwean female artists.
The production featured divas Dudu Manhenga, Chiwoniso Maraire, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Patience Musa and Claire Nyakujara.
The groups’s repertoire included music from the 1950s, 1960s and the 1970s.
Each diva would perform two songs; one of their own and one from the golden period of Zimbabwean township music.
Boy oh boy, it was a classic act especially backed by seasoned session musicians – Blessing Mparutsa on drums, Inock Piroro on bass, James Buzuzi on lead guitar and Victor Mparutsa on keyboards. It was absolute magic.
I am told the vocalists were carefully selected for their quality performances and commitment to Zimbabwe’s music industry.
The five represented some of the most active Zimbabwean women musicians on the local, regional and international scene.
While Chiwoniso has carried the national flag high in Europe and America, Dudu has successfully taken her music to the region with performances at prestigious venues and festivals in South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana.
Dudu was fired up for the concert and suffice it to say whenever she takes to the stage her music grows on you.
Oliver Mtukudzi and his Black Spirits closed the concert with a polished act that sent fans on the dancefloor.
His collaboration with Ayo on his chart topper “Todii” injected frenzy into the crowd that had endured a two-month “drought” during his overseas tour.
His performance felt a lot like a homecoming gig and being the superstar that he is, Tuku made up for Bra Hugh’s absence.
Prior to the concert, the festival honoured pioneers of jazz Lina Mattaka, Dorothy Masuka and The Cool Crooners at an up-market dinner reception.
The artistes were awarded with a certificate and US$1 000 each.
The Harare Jazz Festival brings together prominent jazz artists and groups from across Zimbabwe and the region to celebrate the development and growth of jazz music in the country.
As is always the case, since its inception in 2009 the festival has a strong Zimbabwean component in the line up and gets bigger every year.
The festival sponsors include Savanna Tobacco Company, Lion Larger, Coke Zero and the Italian Embassy.
The Italian Embassy has for the second year running brought a band from that country to perform with support from its partners that include Fiat, Rainbow Tourism Group, FBC Holdings, Sontine Travel, Progressive Insurance Brokers, Peroni, Freight World and Ethiopian Airways.