A past Safaricom Jazz concert. [Photo/HapaKenya]
Talented Senegalese vocalist and bassist Alune Wade will be the leading act at the Safaricom Jazz Lounge concert to be held on Saturday 4th November 2017 at Uhuru Gardens. During the course of his three-decade career, Wade has worked with renowned artistes such as Senegalese Ishmael Lo. His latest album, HAVANA – PARIS – DAKAR, is a collaboration with Cuban Pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa. “We are honored to be hosting yet another influential African Jazz musician who has not only played a role in exposing African music to the world but who also is a master at cross-cultural collaboration,” said Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom. Born in 1978 in Dakar, Senegal, Wade grew up surrounded by music. His father was a leader of a symphonic orchestra, and he began playing at the young age of six. At 13, the bass became Wade’s chosen instrument and with his father’s encouragement joined his orchestra. One year later, he joined Ishmael Lo’s band, touring as his bassist all across the globe. In 2006, Wade released his debut solo album ‘Mbolo’ (which means unity in Wolof). His second album was dubbed ‘Ayo Nene’ and was released in 2010. Jazz singer and composer, New-York based Kavita Shah will also be part of the line-up alongside 2 Kenyan bands; Mambo Tribe and the Limericks that will showcase the growth and talent in the Kenyan Jazz scene. “The main objective of Safaricom Jazz is to enable Kenyan artistes to interact and collaborate with their international counterparts. So far we have had Edward Parseen and the Different Faces Band, Swahili Jazz Band, Shamsi Music and the Nairobi Horns Project share the stage with some of the world’s top jazz performers,” said Mr. Collymore. Proceeds from all ticket sales will be donated to the Ghetto Classics Music program based in Korogocho. The music program has been supported by ticket earnings from the Safaricom International Jazz Festival since 2014. Safaricom has so far handed over Sh. 37 million to the program. The funds went towards purchase of music instruments for the 650 children who are in the community program. “Over the past year and a half, we have made inroads into Mombasa through the program and we are very happy with the work Elizabeth Njoroge and The Art of Music team have done so far and we will continue to support them for as long as we can,” said Mr. Collymore.
The first Safaricom International Festival event was held in February 2014 and was headlined by New-York based Cameroonian artist Richard Bona.