THE JAZZ COMMUNITY in Zimbabwe can look forward to another diverse offering of jazz, with the 2024 edition of the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival this September – dubbed ‘Sizzling Rhythms’ – rolling out in both the capital Harare, and the ‘City of Kings’ Bulawayo, in the annual treat presented by the Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust (ZJCT) in partnership with the Alliance Francaise in Zimbabwe.
Headlining the Festival are two special artists. Zimbabwe’s very own PAUL LUNGA, aka ‘King of Jazz Horns’, one of the legends of jazz history in Zimbabwe, is home from London where he is now based and still performs, sharing his Afro Jazz sound that has captivated audiences at home in Zimbabwe and around the world for over three decades.
Joining him as headliner is the visiting Swiss singer-songwriter NNAVY whose unique personal style is a blend of R&B, soul and jazz influences. Her powerful and emotive stage presence has captivated audiences widely including prestigious festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz à Vienne, and now graces the Zimbabwe jazz stage in both Bulawayo and Harare – courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe.
The festival kicks off in Bulawayo on Friday 20 September, hosted by Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo at 61 Heyman Road from 6-10pm (US$10) – with an exciting lineup of Paul Lunga, NNavy, George Phahlane, and Ngoma iNgoma.
The Harare event on Saturday 21 September offers a solid eight hours of great music from 2-10pm, featuring Paul Lunga, NNavy, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Agga Nyabinde, Rhythmic Pulse, Steve Chikotie and the Hellenic Academy Big Band. The event is hosted by Alliance Francaise de Harare at 328 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare (US$20).
Our artist selection is driven by a fervent passion for diversity and innovation within the jazz genre. We’ve meticulously curated a lineup that celebrates both established and emerging talents, ensuring a rich tapestry of sounds and styles that resonate with the heart of Zimbabwe’s vibrant jazz scene. – ZJCT Founder and Artistic Director, Filbert Marova
The Zimbabwe Jazz Festival has received long running support from the French Embassy, the Alliance Francaise Harare and Alliance Francaise Bulawayo, along with promotional assistance Kunzwana Trust.
The Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust initiative is steered by a committee comprised of both jazz artists and jazz-lovers who aim to revive, promote and preserve the Jazz culture of Zimbabwe, providing quality entertainment and education, thus culturally enriching our country. Established in 2016, the trust immediately set out to stage a series of high quality jazz performances, featuring both well-known and lesser- known hand-picked local jazz artists to keep the spirit of jazz alive.
