Advertisement

No bop at Kigali Jazz Junction

Saturday July 07 2018
junction

Mavuno Band performs at one of Kigali Jazz Junction's past editions. PHOTO | Andrew I.Kazibwe

By ANDREW I KAZIBWE

With live music taking a toll lately, the Kigali Jazz Junction emerges as one of the few events still offering live performances.

While presenting monthly events that incorporate both local and guest artistes from both regional and international scenes, one may wonder whether the event truly serves jazz to its revellers.

With jazz being a foreign, yet rare genre, Kigali Jazz Junction has positioned itself to offer and celebrate this music genre.

“As you know, jazz is considered one of the most sophisticated genres of music. It sometimes takes an apt mind set and level of appreciation to fall in love and be passionate about it,” said Remmygious Lubega, an administrator of RG Consult, the managers of Kigali Jazz Junction.

The event invites various guests artistes to showcase traditional, afro, pop, salsa, swing, rumba, soul & blues, while incorporating Jazz.

Having started off as a concert, which at the start mainly featured the Neptunez Band — a Rwandan all-live band who are behind this event — now features local musicians.

Advertisement

They include vocalists and instrumentalists like Herbert Rock, Lilian Mbabazi Elion Victory, Jules Sentore, Mani Martin, Gabiro Gilbert to legendary acts like Massamba Intore, among others.

The event further expanded to host a few regional and international guest acts like Seyi Shey and Neza from Nigeria, Kenya’s Mayonde and Christine Kamau, Uganda’s Isaiah Katumwa, Marsha Davids, MoRoots, Steven Kigozi, Myco Ouma, Maurice Kirya and Cindy Sanyu.

It has also hosted acts like Ibrahim Tamfum from Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile's Guitarist Tito Al Uribe, alongside Phillisia Ross and Barbra Bannette from the US, South Africa’s Zahara and Ringo Madlingozi among others.

The event has also seen the rise of Herbert Rock, one of the most sought after Saxophonists in Rwanda, who also launched Sax In The City — his debut afro-jazz album.

Others feaured are Josh S, (key board player), who also serves as Neptunez Band music director, guitarists Limbalie Katovu, Damian Luks (bassist), percussionist Steven Muvunyi, alongside vocalists like Masha Davids and Lillian Lydia.

Not a fully jazz event

With the growth of the event, it has lately faced scrutiny. To some performers, its showcase is not necessarily jazz.

“We’ve definitely witnessed regional and world performers like Neza, Isaiah Katumwa, Seyi Shey, Phillisia Ross, who have delivered a taste of jazz. However, other performers like Cindy Sanyu and of late Bebe Cool, who aren’t jazz artists make us wonder the direction this event is headed,” said a local entertainment TV presenter.

According to Mr Lubega, the event serves its purpose: “This event serves as a centre, where jazz meets other genres.”

According to Ringo Madlingozi, the origin of true jazz music mainly dates back to the Congo Square in North America, where African slaves used to entertain their masters during breaks.
“From there other music genres developed from jazz,” said Mr Madlingozi.

Jazz music still struggles to find a footing in Rwanda, with hardly any artistes recording jazz music.