This month’s edition of the monthly Kigali Jazz Junction is only hours away. South African jazz sensation Zahara is expected to jet into the capital this morning, ahead of her performance at Kigali Jazz Junction on Friday. The show will take place at Kigali Serena Hotel, and will feature performances from local R&B singer Social Mula and Neptunez band. This will be Zahara’s first time to perform in the country. Remmy Lubega, the Managing Director of RG Consult, the organisers of the Kigali Jazz Junction, has promised an evening of great jazz music and performances. “We are delighted to have Zahara perform at the Jazz Junction,” said Lubega, before adding: “Our audience requested that we bring Zahara and she is coming to perform for them,” he said. He noted: “Having Social Mula perform alongside Zahara is a great opportunity for him. He is a talented singer, and I’m sure people will enjoy his performance.” In Kigali, the influence of the jazz genre is steadily moving beyond the confines of the Kigali Jazz Junction and the Neptunez Band, who are responsible for popularising the genre locally. Some of Zahara’s popular songs include ‘Bengirongo’, ‘Umthwalo’, ‘Stop the night’, Udali’, ‘Phendula’ and ‘Destiny’, ‘Loliwe’, among others. Her music is classified as “Afrosoul” and she sings in her native language, Xhosa, as well as in English. Her music has been described as a mixture between the styles that have been popularised by Tracy Chapman, and India. Zahara’s debut album ‘Loliwe’ was released in 2011. The first issue sold out within 72 hours, and 19 days later, the album reached double platinum status in South Africa by surpassing the 100,000 sales mark. This made her the second musician after Brenda Fassie, who was also a Xhosa native, to reach this figure in such record time. The singer released her first live DVD, which featured X-Factor USA contestant LeRoy Bell. On May 2, 2012, at the annual South African Music Awards, Zahara won eight awards, including “Best Female Artist” and “Album of the Year”. Zahara is also brand ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. Her success is largely attributed to the Late Robbie Malinga, who produced several of her albums like’ Loliwe’ and ‘Country Girl’. Entrance fee to the Friday show is Rwf5000 (early birds), Rwf10,000 (ordinary), Rwf20,000 (VIP), Rwf160,000 (VIP table of eight), and Rwf220,000 (VIP table of eight with a bottle of either liquor or wine). Tickets are being sold at Meze Fresh (Kacyiru), Kigali Serena Hotel, Riders Lounge and Bombonita at Kigali Heights. Gates will open at 6:30pm and the show will begin at 8pm. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
