It was an evening of fun and good music as Ugandan jazz maestro Michael "Myko” Ouma and Rwandan singer Mani Martin mesmerised revellers during the 7th edition of the Kigali Jazz Junction which took place at Kigali Serena Hotel on Friday evening.

Myko, as he prefers to call himself, took to the stage with Neptunez Band and did what he knows best—alternating between musical instruments, from the saxophone to the guitar, as he cast a spell on the anxious audience.

The Ugandan jazz maestro started his performance at 9pm and he was warmly welcomed by the audience. Ouma performed his own compositions, including ‘Smile', 'The Club Banger' and 'Aluru’, which have made him a household name in jazz, among other songs.

Apart from his own song, he also mixed in instrumentals of such songs as Pharrell Williams’s ‘Happy’, Justin Bieber’s ‘Sorry’ and Davido’s ‘Aye’, to the delight of the audience.

"I had a good time. I am happy the audience was behind me throughout the performance and I can say the jazz culture is picking up,” Ouma told The New Times after completing an exhilarating performance. 

"Everytime I perform here, I realise Rwandans continue to appreciate more what I do and I think I will consider coming back to do a concert here in future,” he said.

Performing last, afro fusion singer Mani Martin used the opportunity to announce his forthcoming album launch, sampling the audience some of the songs that will feature on it. 

Among the songs is "Baba ni Nani”, a song inspired by a mother of child conceived from rape during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He said the song reflects the pain of a mother who doesn’t know what to tell a child when he asks about his father.

With the help of his band Kesho, Mani Martin, dressed in an African attire with a long cloak, sang some of his new and old songs, including Akagezi ka Mushoroza and Same Room, among others.

The show ended towards midnight. It is organised by Remmy Lubega under his events outfit RG Consult.

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