International jazz sensation Manu Dibango touched down at Entebbe International Airport on Saturday night. The Cameroonian artiste is slated to perform on Monday April 30, at Isaiah Katumwa’s annual concert to commemorate International Jazz Day at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
It will be 84-year-old Dibango`s first time to perform in Uganda and he did not waste time in expressing how he was looking forward to the Johnnie Walker sponsored concert.
“I am happy to be here after the long wait. Jazz belongs to us and we belong to jazz. I want to give a good performance for everyone to enjoy,” said Dibango on being received at the arrivals.
The show will also pay tribute to the late Hugh Masekela, a fallen jazz legend branded the father of South African jazz who succumbed to prostate cancer in January. Masekela had also been part of the concert for the last two years and Katumwa hailed him as a perfect inspiration. Manu also performed with and respected Masekela. Katumwa and Manu will play a Masekela tribute song together.
“It will be interesting for us to mix our different flavours of jazz for the Ugandan audience,” Manu said.
At the airport, Manu was handed a gift, a Johnnie Walker 18 special blend bottle from Uganda Breweries’ Head of Luxury Portfolio, Annette Nakiyaga and he was glad to receive it.
“I was a Johnnie Walker brand ambassador for many years,” he said.
“Jazz is a music genre for discerning individuals who love the finer things in life and Johnnie Walker is the whisky of choice for that class of people. Jazz and Johnnie Walker are a great blend and people attending the show will be in for a good time,” Nakiyaga said.
On why the show was held on a Monday, Isaiah Katumwa said, “First of all, it is International Jazz Day, and remember Tuesday is Labour Day, which is a public holiday. Those who work hard should begin the celebrations early and they better rush for their tickets because they are running out.”
The jazz showpiece will be completed by South Africa`s Siphokazi Maraqana who arrived earlier in the country. The Afro-soul songstress has already claimed multiple international and local awards with plenty ahead in her career. Her traditional Xhosa rhythms and harmonies are expected to add spark on Monday night.
Entrance to the show is Shs150,000 for regular tickets and Shs3m for a table. Gates will open at 7pm.