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• Jazz Festival postponed indefinitely

• Organisers plead for patience

Dorothy Masuku

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
The Harare Jazz Festival which was scheduled for this Saturday at Belgravia Sports Club has been postponed indefinitely.
In an interview from South Africa where he is currently on tour, Sam Mataure the organiser of the festival and also Oliver Mtukudzi’s manager yesterday confirmed the gig had been moved to a later date.

“The festival will take place at a later date  but everything else remains the same in terms of the artiste line-up and venue. Really there isn’t anything major but what happened is that we have been pressed with time here in South Africa where we have shows lined up and Mudhara (Tuku) is involved in a number of projects,” Mataure said.

He, however, apologised to jazz lovers for the inconvenience caused saying the show is worth the wait.
“We are sorry for the delay but we would want fans to know that the show will go on and definitely worth the wait,” he said.

Mataure, who is also the drummer for Mtukudzi’s group – The Black Spirits – said they would return to Harare at the weekend.
This year’s edition of the Harare Jazz Festival is expected to feature the likes of  Hugh Masekela, Auntie Dorothy Masuku, Beritha Khumalo, Tanga WekwaSando, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana  and the Cool Crooners.

Nigerian Kunle Ayo makes a welcome return to Harare for yet another dance with his fans. Richie Lopes, soulful  Kudzai Sevenzo, Jazz Invitation, Maylene Chenjerai, Bulawayo Kwela and Mokoomba are also billed to perform.

Other names on the bill are Matthew Ngorima, Shingi Mangoma, Norman Masamba, Patience Musa, Frank Mavhimira, Kudakwashe Mucheche, Macy and the Red, Silence Nqonqo Nhendere and Mbare Trio.

The presence of Bra Hugh at the festival will add spark to what may already have been a thrilling line-up of performers.
Arguably a crowd puller, Bra Hugh was introduced to Zimbabwean audience by popular music promoter the late Job Kadengu. Together with Kadengu, Bra Hugh performed at a number of shows throughout the country.

He is known for his classic hits among them the sweet song of “Tomorrow”, “Bring it Back Home” and “Chileshe” and it would be entertainment galore at the festival when Bra Hugh takes to the stage with his wind instrument to serenade music lovers.

Also expected to add glitter to the festival is Masuku, popularly known as Aunty Dot.
She enjoys performing in the country and always emphasises the beauty of homecoming.

Aunty Dot was born in 1936 in Zimbabwe and hit the charts in the 50s when she popularised “Pata Pata” and she later on released such hits as “Imali Yam Iphel”, “Eshabhini” and “Hamba Nontsokolo”. She has performed at Harare Jazz Festival before and thrilled audiences. She is likely to do the same this year.

At the festival, fans have been given a chance to attend the show either in groups of 10 or as individuals with tickets going for $30 per head.