Festival time is here!

The festival will be held under a marquee in the verdant environs of the centrally located hotel with plenty of hassle-free and secure parking. The setting will combine innovative décor and facilities to create a carnival atmosphere in line with international trends. There will be tables and chairs for the audience and an effective bar and catering service will be on hand.
Prepare for a fantastic musical voyage: This year’s acts were carefully selected to provide superb variety and unmatched entertainment value. Fans will be treated to some rare and once-in-a-lifetime performances. There will be a diversity of genres including Latin jazz, Zimbabwean township music, Italian jazz and blues, Nigerian and South African jazz. The festival is fast gaining prestige and international acclaim and top international, regional and local artistes are billed to perform. 
Stand by for some exotic flavours — Amanda e la Banda (Italy), Almendra (Cuba) and Kunle Ayo from Nigeria. The essence of Amanda e la Banda’s music is in its deep blues, soul and jazz roots with strong Italian passion and influences. Their music makes great listening and their style of performance is high-powered and energetic.
The band Almendra from Cuba is an exciting outfit made up of six women and one man. Cuban music is a fusion of African, Spanish and American music traditions. Their act will definitely add colour and zest to the evening.
Kunle Ayo is an inspired musician whose style is soulful, cheerful and funky. His music is beautiful, uplifting, energetic and incredible. He is an engaging and astounding live performer with an unparalleled ability to connect and interact with his audience emotionally. 
Kunle Ayo’s mastery has earned him favourable comparisons with jazz greats like George Benson, Earl Kluh and Jimmy Dludlu. His seamless fusion of West African, southern African and Western musical traditions has won him several awards including a Kora Award (2004 in the Best Male Artist West Africa category) for his second album, Beyond the Borders and Best Jazz Video (Channel O Awards, 2005) for Slowly But Surely, a smooth ballad on the album Beyond the Borders.
Prepare to be thrilled and get ready for the dance floor: Oliver Mtukudzi is back at the festival by public demand and he promises an all-hit set. Fans should expect big fun to be entertained and to dance to their favourite tunes once the legendary Tuku takes to the stage.  
Prepare for a spark of nostalgia — Dorothy Masuka will make a special guest appearance and she will take the audience down memory lane as she will perform some of her hits from the past.
A special production to pay tribute to pioneering Zimbabwean female artistes from the past will make part of this year’s exciting line-up at the Harare Jazz Festival’s main event. This production will feature Zimbabwean divas Dudu Manhenga, Chiwoniso Maraire, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Patience Musa and Claire Nyakujara.
Fans should expect to be thrilled by this high-octane production as they will be taken down memory lane with music from the 50s, 60s and the 70s. The divas will each perform two songs: One of their own and one from the golden period of Zimbabwean township music.
Prepare for a great evening, an all-round fun filled evening and this was made possible by some great brands: Lion Lager, Savanna Tobacco Company, Coca-Cola Zero, Mahaka Media, The Financial Gazette and the Italian Embassy.

– Article by Synergy! Media, Harare Jazz Festival’s corporate communications agency.