Louis Mhlanga, Kunle Ayo to headline Vic Falls jazz fest

Some of the artists who will perform at the festival are Steve Dyer (SA), Oran Etkin (US) Patrick Lupi (France) and jazz band Afro Red (Zambia). Local artists include Prudence Kotomeni Mbofana, Rute Mbangwa, Mbare Trio, Nicholar Mutuwa, DJ Spevar, Buju Blessing, Blessing Chimanga, Dudu Manhenga, Cool Crooners, Tariro Negitare and Josh Meck. A full line-up will be announced on 24 July.

The festival will be held at different venues including the Victoria Falls Hotel, Invuvu Rest Camp and Zambezi House. Some of the events will be open to the general public and while some are by invite.

“The festival will also reach out and provide non-jazz performing artists, such as gospel, dancehall and others, to cater for the Victoria Falls town community,” the organisers said. “These shows will be held at the Invuvu Rest Camp from Friday to Sunday with gate charges ranging from $3 to $5.”

Festival organiser Clayton Mugabe told Music In Africa that the event would boost the town’s business activities through tourism.

“Victoria Falls is an international destination and the biggest tourism destination in Zimbabwe,” Mugabe said. “Like the Cape Town Jazz Festival, it was indeed a good idea to establish an international jazz festival that would allow the jazz lovers to enjoy both the jazz music and the beautiful scenes within the town of Vic Falls.”

Asked why his organisation was mainly focusing on jazz music, Mugabe said: “We are just continuing with jazz music. There are many other music promoters in Zimbabwe who are promoting other genres. We simply love jazz.”

Mugabe said jazz music lacked support in Zimbabwe. “Jazz music is not popular in Zimbabwe I think it applies in a lot of countries. However, there are those who love it and they are the ones we are targeting,” he said. “With regards to upcoming artists, it is very difficult for them to survive on jazz music as it doesn't have good sales and bookings to sustain them. There's also not enough support of jazz music on local radio stations.”

Tribute to veteran artists

South African artist Yvonne Chaka Chaka will be the guest of honour at a private dinner designed to pay tribute to veteran Zimbabwean musicians Dorothy Masuka, Zexie Manatsa, the late Green Jangano (Harare Mambos) and August Musarurwa.

“The VFIJF Awards are a sign of appreciation to the recipients for their dedication, integrity and counsel that has enhanced the Zimbabwean jazz industry and the world over,” Mugabe said. “We salute these men and women who paved the way for all the other musicians living and past.

“Special tribute will be made to South African jazz promoter Peter Tladi of T-Musicman, who hosts the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in South Africa.”

Founded in 2005, VFIJF is the brainchild of Zimbabwean artist Sam Mataure. The event's 2005 edition was hosted at Elephant Hills Hotel and took a break in 2008 due to economic difficulties.