Jazz enthusiasts can look forward to what is certain to be the biggest night of jazz in Uganda after American star Richard Bona promised a weekend in jazz heaven at the Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari tomorrow Saturday, June 30.
The Grammy Award winner is the main act at this year’s edition of the country’s premier jazz show, and at a press conference today the celebrated bassist assured jazz fans he would literally blow them away when he takes to the stage at Speke Resort Munyonyo lakeside, which is the new venue of the show.
“We are ready to party in Uganda,” an excited Bona announced. “I have been looking forward to the show for months and I cannot wait, tell every jazz lover in Uganda to prepare themselves for an awesome evening of fun and joy tomorrow.”
Originally from Cameroon, 50-year-old Bona is an acclaimed artiste who has performed with a number of icons including Manu Dibango, Chaka Khan, Salif Keita among others. The artiste also boasts close to a dozen albums to his name in a career spanning more than two decades.
“We promised jazz lovers only the best would do for the 11th edition and Bona is one of the finest fit you will find. His musical skills and talent transcend generations. To put it simply he is the kind of talent you do not get to see every day so we are thrilled to be part of his show in Uganda,” said Roger Agamba, International Spirits Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited.
The American star will be joined by some of the best that local jazz music has to offer with names like Kaz Kasozi, BlackRoots UNLIMITED, Michael Kitanda, Tony Trumpet and Aloysius Migadde.
“This is going to be the biggest night for jazz in Uganda, and every jazz lover cannot wait to see Bona in action,” said Tshaka Mayanja, founder of the Jazz Safari.
Tickets to the Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari will go for Shs130,000 for individuals while a table of 10 will be available for Shs3m. The Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari partners include Stanbic Bank, who are offering discounted tickets of Shs100,000 for everyone who pays using Visa cards via Stanbic POS machines.
Stanbic Bank Head Corporate Communications Cathy Adengo, while speaking at the press conference elaborated on the discounted tickets.
“We have been supporting the Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari for some time now because we value each and every partnership that adds value to the community while at the same time supporting our role as a financial institution. As the official financial partner of the Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari, we believe convenience is key in fostering lifestyle while giving our customers the opportunity for flexibility in making payments through card usage in our digital platforms. This continued sponsorship of the Jazz Safari event is proof of our commitment to building a better tomorrow through digitization,” she said.
Discounted tickets can be purchased through card at selected outlets including Game, ShopRite Acacia and House of Walker
The other partners are Guvnor, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, NBS TV, Pepsi and Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The Jazz Safari has since 2011 supported the Rotary Clubs of Uganda for causes in farming, breast cancer and starting last year, a project at Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped. This term, through friends and partners in England, Disc Manufacturing Services, a new specialist ICT center, complete with specialised equipment for disabled children, and valued at £50,000 (about Shs250m) is being set up at the school.
Gates will open at 2pm with a series of activities like cocktails, makeup by Imani,a cigar lounge and an exclusive whisky experience for whisky lovers and many more.