'International Jazz Day' in Pictures

Hope Trio

Hope Trio

Poet Batsirai E Chigama with Filbert Marova

Batsirai E Chigama

Stephen Chifunyise

C.P Giskemo

Richie Lopez

Pablo Nakappa

Mr Chimbi Mapfumo(UNESCO)

Dudu Manhenga with Hope masike

Dudu with Hope

“Jazz United” - International Jazz Day Concert

Book Café, Harare, Saturday 28 April 2012

This end-of-April-weekend the world celebrates the first International Jazz Day ever.

In Paris, France, on 27 April, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock will kick-off the first annual International Jazz Day with a full day of events featuring Marcus Miller, Barbara Hendricks, Hugh Masekela, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and more.

In New Orleans, USA, on 30 April, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Special sunrise concert with Dianne Reeves, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Terence Blanchard, Ellis Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, and other special guests.

In New York, USA, on 30 April, a special evening concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall will feature Angelique Kidjo, Wynton Marsalis, Hugh Masekela, Shankar Mahadevan, and many more.

In Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday 28 April 2012 from 3-7pm, the Book Café presents “JAZZ UNITED” a daytime jazz concert featuring some of Zimbabwe’s top and budding jazz artists. Pamberi Trust and its jazz development programme join hands with AWIPAZ and the world to celebrate jazz in Zimbabwe and to raise awareness on the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

The afternoon event is an initiative of the Association of Women in the Performing Arts (AWIPAZ) which will present some of Zimbabwe’s leading women in jazz in an exciting line-up including Dudu Manhenga, Prudence Katomeni, Bernie Bismark, Patience Musa, Rute Mbangwa and Hope Masike, with best-loved groups Jazz Invitation, Color Blu, Hope Masike's trio, and the emerging Sunsets. Instrumentalists who are being invited to sit-in are Filbert Marova and Tich Makalisa (keyb), guitarists Jimmy Buzuzi and Pablo Nakappa, and Richie Lopes (sax), and there will be a hot jam session including many others.

The Sat 28 April event for International Jazz Day is supported in part by UNESCO, and is likely to be hot and happening, and creating a stir for jazz again in the capital. Oh Happy Day!

"International Jazz Day”

In November 2011 during the UNESCO General Conference, the international community proclaimed 30 April as "International Jazz Day". UNESCO regards jazz as an art-form that has contributed to the promotion of intercultural dialogue, eradication of discrimination, promotion of respect for human rights and human dignity and fostering gender equality and reinforcement of the role of youth for social change.

The Day is intended to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people. It will bring together communities, schools and other groups all over the world to celebrate and learn more about the art of jazz, its roots and its impact and to highlight its important role as a means of communication that transcends differences.

Around the world many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens currently engaged in the promotion of jazz music will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.

Jazz in Zimbabwe: Background

Jazz has a fascinating history in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has had a profound influence on “African jazz” with such luminaries as Dorothy Masuka, The Cool Crooners, saxophonists Simangaliso Tutani and Albert Musarurwa, trumpeter Paul Lunga, pianists Chris Chabuka, guitarists Robert Moore, Louis Mhlanga and David Ndoro, drummer Jethro Shasha and bassist Bryan Paul, who were the jazz heroes of the struggles of that time, who reached audiences beyond our borders. Many more were performing locally and in the ‘township’ arena.

In more recent years a new generation of powerful jazz artists has emerged – singer/songwriters Dudu Manhenga, Prudence Katomene-Mbofana, Miriam Mandipira, Hope Masike, pianists Bernie Bismark, Filbert Marova and Tich Makalisa, drummers Sam Mataure and Blessing Muparutsa, bassist Kelly Rusike. All are well known and acclaimed in Zimbabwe, and have also toured in the region and internationally. Many, many more perform at home, some struggling for the love of jazz.

In spite of this rich pool of jazz talent, the market is not strong, and many former jazz venues in the capital have branched out into other genres in order to survive. The jazz platform is therefore threatened, and every effort must be made to defend jazz platforms, promote its rich music culture of diversity and its artists.

Pamberi Trust opened the Mannenberg Jazz Club in 2000 with a performance by the famed South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ebrahim, and maintained a high profile for jazz until it’s merge with the Book Café in new premises at 139 S.Machel avenue in April 2012. In October 2011, Pamberi Trust partnered with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and Embassy of Italy in the October International Jazz Festival, which will be back on the cards this October.

The International Day of Jazz is welcomed in Zimbabwe. The new Book Café will be making sure that it’s jazz tradition continues to burn strongly with a new drive to gather jazz-lovers together for the enjoyment of jazz – wherever it may be.

Penny Yon

Pamberi Trust

April 2012

Zim Women Poets claim their space at HIFA, 2012

When Flora Veit Wild profiled poets  in 1988 in her book Patterns of Poetry, she only had one woman poet, Kristina Rungano alongside 6 male poets.  I should say women’s voices in literary Zimbabwe have increased since then.  We have noted  the emergence of new voices like Ethel Kabwato, Joyce Shereni, Fungai Machirori, Blessing Musariri, Primrose Dzenga and have other strong performance poets such as Aura Kawanzaruwa, Barbara Anderson, Wadzanai Chiuriri, Cynthia Marangwanda, Roxanne ‘Xapa’ Mathazia just to name a few.   Some of these women will be performing during HIFA, 1-6 May.

Meet Zim's women Spoken Word Artists at HIFA:

Chiedza Musengezi

Chiedza Musengezi

(Bio & Photo Courtesy Of Weaver Press)
Chiedza Musengezi has co-edited compilations of women’s voices with: Women of Resilence (Zimbabwe Women Writers, Harare, 2000), Women Writing Africa, The Southern Region (Feminist Press, New York, 2003) and A Tragedy of Lives: Women in Prison in Zimbabwe (Weaver Press, Harare, 2003). Her short stories and poetry have been anthologised locally and internationally. She taught in Ireland and she currently works for Legal Resources Foundation in Harare. Chiedza was published in Writing Still (2003), Writing Now (2005) and Women Writing Zimbabwe (2008).Former director at Zimbabwe Women Writers, she spent a few year in Ireland and returned home in 2011.   Chiedza Performs at Poetry Cafe on 2 & 3 May 2-3pm on both days.

Batsirai E Chigama

Batsirai E Chigama

Not new to HIFA, Batsirai has gained recognition in the spoken word community of Zimbabwe as well as Southern Africa.  She has performed at several festivals and has been featured in five poetry anthologies to date.  She also writes short stories and contributes to Zimbojam the most popular arts website in Zimbabwe.   To read more of her work Go here.  Catch up with her at the Poetry Cafe on 2 May, as well as Sunday 6 May, 2-5pm on both days.

Barbara "Breeze" Anderson

Barbra Breeze Anderson is a poet, writer and designer. She started the art of performing in the year 2007 at the ‘Power In The Voice Competition’, a British Council sponsored event where she performed a short prose piece.  Barbara has performed at the House of Hunger poetry slam at the Book Cafe,Sistaz Open Mic & Mashoko Spoken Word Events. Barbra is now working on various projects, one that she has put into effect is a monthly Poetry night event called ‘Poetry And’ launched in April 2011 where poetry is fused with different genres of art.  She performs at HIFA on 1May at 2pm & 5 May at 11am at the Poetry Cafe

Barbara 'Breeze' Anderson

Fungai Machirori

Fungai Machirori is a poet, short story writer and trained journalist. She has been writing poetry since about the age of 11 when she first entered a poem for the Bulawayo schools literary eisteddfod competition and received a second class certificate for one of her poems. 

In 2005, Fungai (aged 20) was the youngest participant in the British Council Crossing Borders Literary Project - a project partnering local artists with British based mentors. Fungai went on to achieve a second place award in the national Intwasa Short Story Competition. She has since been published in two Zimbabwean short story anthologies and in 2010, was one of the featured poets in the Wales-published anthology 'Sunflowers In Your Eyes', a collection of poetry from four female Zimbabwean poets.  Catch her debut appearance at HIFA Poetry Cafe on 1 & 2 May.

Fungai Machirori

 Other poets performing on different platforms include Wadzanai Chiuriri popularly known as Black Pearl as well as Aura Kawanzaruwa.

By Batsirai E Chigama

Dear Fans

To all our beautiful fans in the United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Botswana, Colombia, Russia, Sweden, Canada, Austria...thank you for visiting our blog and we hope you are finding the information we have very useful.  Have a blessed week.

Phenomenal Ladies of Song at HIFA 2012

Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana in Concert

Venue: 7 Arts Theatre
Date: Fri 4, May
Time: 8.30PM
CC: USD8.00

Darling of the Zimbabwean stage, the hugely popular singer, songwriter, jazz musician and actor PRUDENCE KATOMENI-MBOFANA performs with a big band ensemble under the renowned Music Director, Robert O. Chambers.

Performing songs from her debut solo album, Prudence, this concert offers Harare audiences an opportunity to experience her many different facets as an artist. She has shared stages with acclaimed African artists, traveled widely in the region, toured in France with the famous jazz uncles ‘The Cool Crooners’, and performed in Norway. A chance to get up close and personal with a Zimbabwean music star at the height of her considerable vocal powers.

Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana

Edith WeUtonga 

Venue: Telecel Main Stage
Date: Sun 6, May
Time: 1PM
CC: USD10.00
 Edith WeUtonga has become a powerful force within the Zimbabwean music scene. With her seven piece band, Utonga she has turned perceptions about Zimbabwean female musicians on their head, with her committed bass playing and charismatic stage persona.

Edith and her musicians bring their incomparable energy to Telecel Main Stage for the first time, performing songs from her debut album UTONGA as well upcoming hits from the studio album she is currently recording before touring East Africa in July. From emotional ballads to dance tunes, this concert showcases the phenomenal talent of a rule-breaking Zimbabwean star.

Edith WeUtonga

Hope Masike

Venue: LAY'S Global Stage
Date: Thur 3, May

Time: 5PM
CC: USD8.00
After her phenomenal debut at HIFA in 2010 and a successful year in Norway, singer Hope Masike is back with her new album ‘Mbira, Love and Chocolate’.

Dubbed the ‘Princess of mbira’, this impressive Zimbabwean musician has taken mbira into new spaces including blues, samba and jazz.

Her HIFA concert promises to be a highlight of this year’s music programme and features an unusual musical conversation between music and… chocolate!

"…full of infectious optimism and energy.’ The Guardian

Netsayi

Venue: LAY'S Global Stage
Date: Sat 5, May

Time: 6.50PM
CC: USD8.00

One of Zimbabwe’s most acclaimed singer/songwriter’s, Netsayi’s music describes a personal journey, bringing together her many facets as a musician and as a Zimbabwean woman. She has developed a distinctive sound, combining jazzy vocals with mbira-inspired grooves; sometimes adding the subtle lilt of a reggae baseline or the sudden crack of a hip-hop rim. Her sound is playful as well as emotionally intense and sultry. Based for some years in London, she has played live on BBC Radio, has performed at the London Jazz Festival, Spitz, ICA, Royal Festival Hall and at WOMAD. We’re delighted to welcome this extraordinary Zimbabwean artist back to HIFA.

Netsayi

Chi Nhai Pfumojena: States Of Emotion

Venue: 7 Arts Theatre
Date: Sun 6, May

Time: 4PM
CC: USD10.00
From a world of love, pain, darkness and joy, come two voices in synchronized polyphony. Two voices and two stories that take the audience through myriad states of emotion, on a magical journey of musical and visual harmony.

The debut performance of a new musical partnership and an entirely fresh sound….Chi Nhai Pfumojena: States Of Emotion

Chiwoniso Maraire & John Pfumojena

These amazing musicians will mix it with other visiting artists such as Liz Ogumbo of Kenya, Senegalese Ishmael Lo, Maia Von Lekow(Kenya), Queendom(Norway) among others.  Harare International Festival of the Arts runs from the 1-6 May.

Compiled by Batsirai E Chigama

Sistaz Re-launches in style

After 5 months of waiting as the venue, Book Cafe, relocated to it's new premises, Sistaz Open Mic returned bigger and better having received a generous sponsorship from the Canadian Embassy.

It was a laid back Saturday afternoon, where women artists came together to celebrate a platform that has nurtured and inspired many, marking the end of Women’s Month as well as Sistaz open Mic’s 5^th birthday.


Counsellor Denis Langlois from the Embassy of Canada could not resist the sound of Tina Watyoka.

The platform has lived up to it's promise of being a safe platform where women artists are free to articulate themselves in any artistic form.  Sat the 31st of March, marked the intersection of the project with gender based CSOs, who in themselves are agents of free expression, pushing for the active participation of women in all economic sectors that include the arts.Present were representatives from HerZimbabwe, Katswe Sistahood, TaGLi(Tag a Life International) and The Girls Legacy.

 The audience was treated to some spectacular performances from the 14 year old Tamy Moyo who left them spellbound, WeUtonga, Uzanele, Dudu Manhenga, Tina Watyoka & Inkanyezi could not be outdone as they drew the audience to their feet.  Poetry was provided by Zimbabwe's most powerful women in spoken word, Aura, Black Pearl and FlowChyld while Maylene Chenjerai gave her heart to a dance narrative to Neria by Oliver Mtukudzi and Pfungwa by Victor Kunonga.

Edith WeUtonga

Spotted in the audience was Photographer Rue Nyangulu of Inonzi Memory, poetess Roxanne 'Xapa' Mathazia, film-maker Jackie Cahi, phenomenal women who have carved a niche in their spheres of influence sparing their time to celebrate this special day with other sistaz.

Once again many thanks to the Canadian Embassy for supporting the event and to all the women artists who participated for their dedication.

Pamberi Team, you were wonderful as usual, thank you.

More here Sistaz Open Mic

By Batsirai E Chigama
Gender Projects Officer
For Pamberi Trust