Chamante and Michael Kitanda at the Nile Gold Jazz Safari
By Ronnie Mayanja — On Friday October 3rd 2014 – All roads led to Kampala Serena Hotel for what has now become an annual Jazz affair. The 7th Nile Gold Jazz Safari delivered in all elements. Starting off with Uganda’s new Jazz kid on the block – Michael Kitanda and Chamante, we were later treated to some great sounds of Tizer, Norman Brown and Joe.
Tizer Band in action at the Nile Jazz Safari
Tizer a Jazz quartet who were also nominees of the Jazz group of the year 2011 wowed the audience as they showed mastery of their craft. Their Saxophonist Steve from San Diego, California played Sax, percussion and rhythm guitar. They also had a very talented Bass player from Cameroon. With this International feel the group was able to galvanize the audience at Kampala Serena hotel behind their music as revelers applauded after each of their songs a move that was crystallized with a standing ovation at the end of their performance.
Tizer together with their Band leader after performing at the Nile Jazz Safari, Kampala Serena Hotel
Later it was time for the Grammy award winner – Norman Brown who wasted no time in showing his audience why his album was nominated for the best pop instrumental album in 2003. He flirted with his guitar while strumming amazing chords which were simply infectious. While watching Norman Brown do his thing you saw an artist that has not only mastered his skill but one that has taken his trade new level. The connection between his instrumentalists and the sheer passion left me appreciative that I had indeed been part of this live experience at Kampala Serena hotel.
Grammy Award winner Norman Brown in action at the Nile Jazz Safari
This Kansas native who first picked up the guitar at the age of 8, was inspired by Jimmy Hendrix and his father’s favorite artist, Wes Montgomery. It was after his signing onto the Mo Jazz label a division of MOTOWN records that this great Jazz sensation had his big break. In 1992 he released his debut album ‘Just Between Us, followed by the gold certified ‘Into the Storm’ and later it was ‘Better Days Ahead’. In 2003 he made a giant leap to Warner Brothers after teaming up with producer Paul Brown and together they produced ‘Just Chillin’ the album that earned them both a Grammy award in the pop instrumental category.
Norman Brown with his Musical Director on stage at the Nile Jazz Safari
Soon after Norman Brown and crew left the stage the sound engineers started making adjustments from Jazz to R&B as it was now time to switch gears to the most anticipated artist of the evening Joe – The ladies man!
Joe Live at the Nile Gold Jazz Safari
The legendary Joe Thomas – Better known as ‘Joe’ took to the stage at around 11pm and he did not disappoint. He performed hit after hit that included some famous love songs like ‘Do wanna be a player’, ‘I wanna know’, Stutter, ‘Treat her like a lady’, ‘Love scene’ and more. Perhaps the biggest endorsement of the Nile Jazz Safari came when Joe created his own reggae version of the sponsors message — Nile Gold will quench your thirst!
Joe endorses Nile Gold at the Nile Jazz Safari
After connecting with his audience for about an hour on stage, Joe who was clad in a Tuxedo then moved down to mingle with his audience that included Kampala’s leading socialites and corporate leaders! Ladies could be heard screaming and singing along many of his famous tracks. After about one and half hours Joe performance ended though many of the revelers at the Kampala Serena Victoria Hall remained seated perhaps waiting for more.
The General Manager, Kampala Serena Hotel Mr. Anthony Chege chats with his Marketing Manager in the background are some of the revelers that showed up at this year’s Jazz Safari!
The event in its 7th year is by far the biggest musical concert in Uganda that has now become known for selling out of tickets a week prior to the event. Sponsored by Nile Breweries, British Airways and Kampala Serena Hotel this year’s Nile Gold Jazz Safari lived up to the hype and will perhaps be the best produced and marketed event of 2014. Let’s wait and see if the organizers will be able to outdo this performance next year!
Event emcee Isaac Rucci presents the British Airways business class ticket winners at the Nile Jazz Safari
Ugandan Diaspora News attended the colorful Jazz Safari and now brings you some of the highlights in pictures. All photos appear courtesy of Ronnie Mayanja
About the Author
Ugandan Diaspora News Team
Ugandan Diaspora News Online is an independent, non political news portal primarily aimed at serving Ugandans who work and reside outside Uganda. Our aim is to be a one stop shop for everything Ugandan and the celebration of our Ugandan heritage.
