Marcus Anderson & Yola Semedo ready for a Jazz & Soul Safari in Uganda

One of the most sought after solo jazz saxophonist Marcus Anderson and the Angolan diva, Yola Semedo will be the headline acts at this year’s Jazz & Soul Safari happening on Saturday 2nd September. The event will take place at the Lugogo Cricket Oval Stadium in Kampala under the theme “Wear your dancing shoes”. The annual event that brings together Jazz and Soul lovers from across East & Central Africa for a night of good music and good vibes will be marking 10 years now.

American Saxophonist Marcus Anderson and Kizomba star Yola Semedo already jetted in the country ahead of their much anticipated performances at the 10th edition of Johnnie Walker Jazz & Soul Safari.

The 10th Edition: Johnnie Walker Jazz & Soul Safari 2017

This momentous year Jazz & Soul Safari has turned things up a notch higher as it welcomes on board a new title sponsor, the world-revered whiskey, Johnnie Walker to bring you– Johnnie Walker Jazz & Soul Safari 2017.

This year’s event features the Angolan diva, Yola Semedo, who will showcase the best of Kizomba music. “Kizomba is party music, so come ready to party,” the kizomba star said while addressing journalists. Yola Semedo is popularly known for tunes such as Volta Amor, Nao Entendo among others. And for all, you Jazz purists, one of the world’s premier saxophonist, Marcus Anderson, will be taking the stage to bring you Jazz & Funk to your heart’s content. The celebrated artist is well known for tunes such as Cup of Joe, All About you and a host of others. Jazz lovers and enthusiasts can look forward to a groovy night at the Lugogo Cricket Oval which is suitably themed “Wear your dancing shoes.”

The Birth of Jazz & Soul Safari

The dream to bring Jazz to the masses across East and Central Africa was first conceived by TShaka Mayanja, a well-known Music Promoter, Producer, Songwriter and Lead Bassist to the band, Blackroots Unlimited. TShaka later shared this idea with his friend and host of the popular Jazz Evening show on Radio One FM, Elijah Kitaka. Inspired by radio jazz segments and small gatherings, it has transformed into nine international standard concerts that showcased the intricate craft that is jazz.

With support from some generous sponsors the first Jazz Safari concert dubbed, “The Sizzling Jazz Safari”, took place on the 19th December 2008 right outside Ange Mystique at the parking lot. The event featured Saxophonist Eric Marienthal, drummer Oscar Seaton, and host of other local and regional artists. And from that inaugural event Jazz Safari was born and off to a good start.

Jazz & Soul Safari has stood the test of time to become a strong and established brand and can now attract the requisite sponsorship and resources enough to pull off annual concerts consistently. In the year 2009 through the concerts it conducted in Nairobi and Kigali we got a glimpse of what’s possible. This can be done.

Gates to the Jazz, Soul and Kizomba music celebration open at 4:00pm with Uganda’s Myko Ouma and Micheal Kitanda kicking off the evening’s performances at 7:00pm.

Tickets are on sale at House of Walker, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Game Lugogo plus Stanbic Acacia and Forest Mall. Gold tickets go for UGX130,000 and UGX3M for a platinum table. You can also instantly win a ticket with every purchase of two Johnnie Walker Black

Label bottles and one Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve at House of Walker and Game.

Please be advised that there will be no tickets available at the venue.

Meanwhile, continuing their tradition of giving back, Jazz Safari has partnered with the Rotary Club of Kampala North to start a music programme at the Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped.

Kampala School for the physically handicapped (KSPH) is a primary school that was started in 1968, catering for the educational needs of the disabled children in Uganda. The school that has an enrollment of over 100 pupils offers vocational subjects like tailoring, screen printing, craft, tie and dye and computer training to all the children that cannot continue with further education.