Clare Nyakujara- Jazz Has a New Face
On Friday 6 February (2009) The Mannenberg Jazz Club proudly welcomes Clare Nyakujara and The Other Four for an exciting performance of afro jazz at the Fife Avenue late-night venue which features Zimbabwean jazz artists regularly. Clare will perform under the banner of the Female Literary, Arts & Music Enterprise (FLAME), a Pamberi Trust project.
Every child dreams of being a star and Clare was no exception, starting out at the age of 10 in the church choir, and soon making her way to ‘the front’. In 2002 she became exposed to different types of music and found herself drawn to jazz after listening to Zimbabwean artists of different jazz styles – Luck St Blues, Dudu Manhenga & Color Blu, and The Other Four. Over time she joined Dumi Ngulube & Amagents, Mateo (of ‘Pamuhacha’ fame) and Dino Mudondo, on backing vocals, performing with them at HIFA, the annual Winter Jazz Festivals, club and corporate gigs, and giving vocal support to other up and coming young groups in the capital. Read more
Why it was a Sacred Concert to remember
Scores of people of various ages and hues braved Harare’s sweltering heat on Saturday, 8 November 2008, to join the celebrations to mark 200 years of the abolishment of slavery with a performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts by the 50 strong Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM) Choir and the Trio Arctic Band. The versatile and awe-inspiring Zimbabwean diva, Prudence Katomeni- Mbofana held the solo soprano reins.
The performance was a unique collaboration between the ZCM and their Norwegian counterparts courtesy of The Culture School of Fredrikstad as well as FK Norway. Each year three lecturers from ZCM go to Norway to guest lecture in an exchange programme that sees three Norwegian lecturers making the trek to Zimbabwe. This year’s trio, Tone Jordhus Søvik (saxaphone), Brith Løkken (trumpet) and Klæboe Eyvind Helseth were at the forefront of organising the concert. Linda Gjersoe Helseth (trombone) flew all the way from Norway to be part of this groundbreaking performance. Read more
Ellington’s Sacred Concert at the Mannenberg
2008 MARKS 200 YEARS since American president Thomas Jefferson signed the bill abolishing the slave trade in 1808.
In 1965 jazz master Duke Ellington, himself descended from slaves and recognized as one of the most influential figures in jazz, was moved to write three massive works that combined elements of jazz, classical music, choral music, spirituals, gospel, blues and dance. He called them his “Sacred Concerts,” and they were performed in churches and cathedrals around the world. He said it was the most important thing he’d ever done.
Because of the scale of the music and the sheer number of artists needed to execute each work, Ellington’s sacred concerts have rarely been performed in the 30 years since his death in 1974. Read more
Cornerstone- back on the block
Stu Charles on flute. PHOTO- Christian Hoppe
This Saturday afternoon, 25 October at The Book Café, Pamberi Trust presents a rich revival under it’s arts development programme with the return of CORNERSTONE, a funky/ R&B/ jazzy group that has been entertaining Harare audiences for almost two decades, both collectively as a band and also separately as individual artists. Read more
Out of the ruins, a vision of Hope is born
Hope Masike
The makings of a true diva
Have you ever wondered what it must be like for the Infinite Being to be witness to wonder of the formation of stars, right from the very beginning? (We mortals get to experience the splendour and majesty of stars billions of years afterwards…) Though we are not immortal, we are, however, from time to time, given a rare privilege to be witnesses to the birth of stars within our lifetime. We are honoured to watch them come forth and shine. Hope Masike neKakuwe never cease to give me this feeling.
“Once this woman grows out of the scholastic mode, she’s going to hit the stratosphere,” observed Edgar Langeveld. A combination of Hope’s sultry looks, with echoes of Queen Nerfetiti- under the headdress that spoke of many Nubian queens who have walked this continent in ages now gone, and the delivery of the songs in a voice that seemed to have dipped in honey, steeped in the deepest of earth and heaven’s delights had solicited the remark. Read more
Modern Jazz dance classes with Soukaina
Soukaina Edom
World renowned dancer, dance instructor and choreographer Soukaina Edom is resuming her classes in Harare starting this week.
Modern Jazz Dance Classes for adults and teenagers (15+)
Tuesdays : 5.30 to 7 pm
Thursdays: 6.30 to 8 pm
5 USD per session
Get a real total body workout and have fun at the same time! Dance is a great way to stay in shape and destress. Bring your partner or friend and add a new spark to your relationship!
