The pre-event hype for the 11th edition of the Johnnie Walker Jazz Safari had promised that nothing but the very best would do, and jazz enthusiasts were in deed treated to pure jazz magic on Saturday at Speke Resort Muyonyo lake side as Grammy award winner Richard Bona took them on a blissful journey that combined electric performances and musical mastery.
The American star was the events main act at the at this year’s edition of the Jazz Safari and when he stepped on stage minutes after 10 pm his performance for the next hour confirmed he was indeed worth the wait .
Jazz lovers had trooped to Munyoyo in large numbers as early as 5pm, filling out the venue in anticipation of the memorable evening .they were not disappointed as the Johnnie Walker cocktails flowed endlessly and local jazz stars like Kaz Kasozi, Tony Trumpet and BlackRoots UNLIMITED were on hand to entertain before Bona took over.
It was pulsating at times .well past 11pm, the cries of “one more” could be heard from the crowd .many in the ecstatic had long been overpowered by the groovy beats, losing themselves in dance.
“We promised jazz fans that only the best would do and Johnnie Walker is proud to have been a part of a performance of this quality. Every jazz lover that come out tonight has been truly Bonafied,”said Roger Agamba, International Spirits brand manager at Uganda Breweries.
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.
The Jazz Safari, which was formerly the Jazz and soul Safari, has been split into two this year and Saturday’s event will be followed by the Johnnie Walker Soul Safari in December