High-octane production at jazz fest

The 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.
This is a rare once-off production that will add an old school township jazz feel to the festival. The divas will perform a one-hour combined set in succession and they will be backed by seasoned session musicians, Blessing Mparutsa (drums), Inock Piroro (bass), James Buzuzi (lead guitar) and Nicolas Nare (keyboards).
Dudu, Chiwoniso, Prudence, Patience and Claire will perform alongside regional and international greats from South Africa, Italy and Nigeria.
The singers were selected after careful thought by Harare Jazz Festival’s artistic department for their quality and outstanding performance and commitment to Zimbabwe’s music industry. The five are the most active Zimbabwean female musicians on the local, regional and international scene.
While Chiwoniso has carried the national flag high in Europe and America, Dudu has successfully taken her music to the region with performances at prestigious venues and festivals in South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana.
Harare Jazz Festival is a high-profile annual event that brings together prominent jazz artistes and groups from across Zimbabwe and the region to celebrate the development and growth of jazz music in the country.
Since its inception in 2009, stakeholder support has enabled the festival to grow. Its major sponsors are Savanna Tobacco Company, Lion Larger, Coca-Cola Zero and the Italian Embassy.
The Italian Embassy will, for the second year running, bring a band from Italy to perform with support from its partners that include Fiat, Rainbow Tourism Group, FBC Holdings, Sontine Travel, Progressive Insurance Brokers, Peroni, Freight World, and Ethiopian Airways.