Singer Lilian Mbabazi took it upon herself to light up full house at Kigali Serena Hotel as the second season of the Kigali Jazz Junction kicked off on Friday.

The highly gifted former member of Blu3 defied the rain to put up a spirited performance, mesmerizing her fans and family members who turned up.

The show which comes back every month and is getting etched on the events calendar, kicked off at 7 pm. Music lovers defied the evening downpour and arrived in hoards.

Once again, the organisers proved their creativity through the stage set-up, this time making the stage look like a bar with shelves of beer and soft drinks. The previous, edition the stage looked like a car garage.

The show was spiced up by Makumbi Sound band, which of late plays at most upscale entertainment spots in Kigali and has since gained a good following of jazz lovers since its inception in 2013.

The band treated revellers to smooth jazz as they performed some of the oldies that dominated the chats back in the day.

They performed songs like All of me by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons in 1931, The Chicken by James Brown and Maceo Parker, Red Clay by Freddy Hubbard, Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock, Povo by Freddy Hubbard, 500 miles High by Chick Core and Don't know why by Norah Jones Hylife among many others.

The attendance was impressive for a rainy evening. The hall was full to the point that people who came a few hours after the show began, hardly found where to seat.

The show organized by RG Consult Inc, with entertainment personality Remmy Lubega at the helm was attended by a number of notable personalities in government and private sector.

To set the tone for Lilian, Neptunez Band, which is at the forefront of the Kigali Jazz Junction hit the stage and cranked up the audience with an exhilarating performance before they gave the floor to the Vitamin singer.

Mbabazi arrived on stage in an elegant white and black gown and a black head wrap.

Her fans welcomed her with a standing ovation and she did not waste time, going straight into her performance.

Lilian sang a rendition of songs like Africa rise, Niwowe gusa featuring Rwanda’s Kitoko, Danger, Vitamin, Love letter, At last by Etta James and Adele’s Someone like you among many.

The Ugandan based artist did not forget to invoke memories of girl group Blu3, which launched her music career, as she performed some of the songs like Hitaji, Nkankyakyakye, Don’t stop the music and Where you Are which made the group a household name before she embarked on a solo career in 2010.

She invoked some nostalgic feeling as the songs reminded her fans of the hits of yester years  days, with many rising up to dance as they sang along with her during the performance.

"Lilian did not disappoint us, she nailed it and we loved every bit of her performances,” said Mercy Uwera, a fan of the musician.

The show ended at around Midnight with announcements for the after party at K club.

Jazz lovers were invited for the next Kigali Jazz Junction season three on the October 28 where Ugandan jazz musician and saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa and Cindy from Uganda will be the guest performers.

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