Neza and Masamba thrill revelers at final edition of Jazz Junction

Jazz has arguably made name in Kigali going by the hundreds of revelers who turned up in numbers to experience the best of Jazz music Friday evening at this year’s final concert of Kigali Jazz Junction. The tantalising show that featured legendary musician Masamba Intore and Canada-based Rwandan artiste Neza de Songbird was held at Kigali Serena Hotel’s tent ahead of t The Rwandan duo traded an entertaining night of both traditional and contemporary music to ensure a jazz night full of fun and emotions. Just minutes past 8.30 pm, Remy Lubega, the brains behind the seasonal Jazz concert, invited Makumbi Sound Band, who spent almost an hour warming up the stage with excellent saxophone music. Then the Neptunez Band stepped on stage for their usual backup to the performers of the Jazz night. The band performed famous hits like Daddy Yankees’ Despacito and Charly and Nina’s Owooma, which features Ugandan rising star Geosteady, among many, all through their saxophone instrumental music. Meanwhile, the band’s lead singer known as Lilian revealed it was her last performance in the band, by officially waving goodbye to the band management and its members. Probably she might be going for a solo career, time will tell. The final edition was not just entertainment as gifts were also on display, making it a great night for some of the Jazz party people, among whom three lucky winners won smart phone prizes, including a big prize of iPhone 7+, after a set of question and answer (Q&A) session, to wish Jazz lovers Christmas and a blessed New Year. All eyes were on young Neza, who stepped on stage at 10.30 pm for a live performance at the all-Rwandan Jazz concert. Born Patricia Neza Masozera to both Rwandan parents, the Canada-based 24-year-old diva, who currently trades her music business with Nigerian music label MCG Galaxy, enjoyed a spectacular night given the warm welcome she was given when breaking on stage. Gifted for having knowledge of several languages, she performed most of her songs in English, but could be heard speaking some French and Lingala, especially during Congolese artist Papa Wemba-inspired track ‘Show me the Way’. She even possesses hits composed in her mother tongue like her brand-new one ‘Uranyica’. On hitting the stage, Neza said, “this is such a wonderful day for me to perform before Kigali people. I love you.” It was, however, a night of mixed emotions for the fast rising music sensation, as she was heard performing Bryan Adams’ track ‘Everything I Do’ to pay tribute to her grandmother who passed earlier this week. More songs followed from the 2017 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) winner as the best African Rising Artist which she scooped in November, ahead of the likes of Nigerian Talent Mr Eazi, including ‘Tambola’, Say Mama and Uranyinca, before paving way to Rwanda’s very own legendary musician Massamba Intore. He would be aware he was the last, but not least, headliner of this year’s Jazz party and he proved his worth when his performance drove everyone here and there dancing to his traditional music from the minute he dropped to stage till half past midnight when the party was declared over. Massamba enjoyed the performance alongside a traditional crew and songs like Mama Ndare, Amazi ya Nyanja, Kanjogera, Nyaruguru, Wirira and Rwagihuta, among many more, left no one with no regret whatsoever of turning up for the show. Most importantly, he wished the audience a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2018, before leaving the stage to bring the curtain down on a night filled with entertainment.

Entertainment

Neza and Masamba thrill revelers at final edition of Jazz Junction