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Victor Kunonga

Tawanda Marwizi : Arts Correspondent

Jazz musicians got lifeline following the opening of a new jazz venue, Time and Jazz, in the capital. The place that comes after some years of Jazz 105 closure is set to give the genre’s musicians a new lease of life. Several arts personalities graced the official opening of the event on Wednesday night. Jazz musicians Victor Kunonga, Norman Masamba and Javabvu Drive performed at the event before Jah Prayzah and Suluman Chimbetu joined as guest artists.Owner of the venue Josh Hozheri said they have opened the venue specifically for jazz musicians.

“We are happy to be opening a new joint tonight. My hope is to give jazz artists platform to showcase their talents,” he said.

Hozheri was grateful to people who graced the event saying it was big milestone to the venue.

“This shows people want to see the success of Jazz music in Zimbabwe. It is up to us the promoters to give each and every jazz artiste a chance to come and perform here,” he said.

Unlike Jazz 105 that ended up hosting musicians across genres, Hozheri said Time and Jazz will be strictly a jazz venue.

“This is a venue for jazz musicians and as you know, jazz music has been always my passion. It is strictly jazz and we are not going to have commercial artistes like we ended up doing at Jazz 105,” he said.

He said he wanted to move jazz music forward and called on people to support him.

“This venue has a history of jazz music. A number of renowned jazz musicians once played here. We are targeting mature crowds and obviously jazz-loving people,” he said.

Musician Masamba welcomed the venue saying it was good to see people supporting the genre.

“The opening of this place is good news for us jazz artistes as it gives us platform to showcase our talents. We thank Hozheri for being passionate about the genre,” he said.

Kunonga echoed the same sentiments saying people should come to support the noble initiative.