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BC International Jazz Festival 2024
February 24, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm EAT
Bob Collymore Foundation Announces Second Jazz Festival for February 2024
Event follows highly popular inaugural event held in July 2023 and promises to unveil a fresh roster of African performers on the live stage
The Bob Collymore Foundation (BCF) has announced an exciting lineup ahead of the second event in the BC International Jazz Festival Series (BCIJF).
Set to take place on 24th February 2024, East Africa’s largest Jazz Festival will celebrate Africa’s growing jazz ecosystem, featuring an unprecedented lineup of artistes under the theme: Africa Ascend.
The award-winning Congolese-Belgian fusionist Syssi Mananga will headline the event alongside Tanzania’s Humphrey Muba, the East African percussionists Enkare Saxophone Quartet and Nairobi-based musician Samuel Mutuku.
The Jazztified, the engaging jazz ensemble will also join the stage alongside fan favourites the Safaricom Youth Orchestra, Ghetto Classic and DJ D-Lite who will provide entertainment between sets.
Our ambition is to honour our founder Bob Collymore’s wish to build a platform to give Africa’s revolutionary artists and musicians the opportunity to showcase their talent through curated experiences. Wambui Collymore, Festival Director, BCIJF
Tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated event which will take place at the Carnivore Grounds on 24th February 2024 starting from 12pm. While the first BCIJF brought together Kenyan jazz stars in a sold out, crowd-pleasing experience; the second festival will highlight the power of music in connecting societies across East Africa through music.
Our promise to continue showcasing musicians who are making an impact on the African music scene is coming to life. Jazz has the ability to draw us together, and our Festival brings together creators and seasoned industry professionals to create generational impact. – Kavutha Mwanzia, the Festival Music Director.
Promising to be a family day filled with unbridled creative expression and artistic excellence, the Festival will feature fresh acts, fan favourites and entertainment.
Through its continuing transformative partnership with Ghetto Classics, the Festival will also feature young musicians from the initiative, and part of the proceeds shall go towards providing music education to over 300 underprivileged youth through the programme.
Advance tickets to BC International Jazz Festival are now retailing at Ksh2,500 for adults, Ksh 1,000 for youths between the ages of 12 and 18 and Ksh500 for children. Jazz enthusiasts under the age of five will enjoy free entry.
Enkare Saxophone Quartet (KENYA)
Enkare Saxophone Quartet is a talented group of musicians from Nairobi, Kenya.
The quartet is known for its unique blend of classical, contemporary, and jazz styles, all infused with the rhythms of African percussion. The group comprises Samuel Mutuku on alto saxophone, Ryan Searle on soprano saxophone, Kevin Thuita on baritone sax, and Laka Waithaka on tenor sax. John Maina joins them on percussion to give the music a rhythmic lift.
Each member of the quartet is an accomplished recording and performing artist in his own right. Together, their delicate harmonic blend is uplifting, and their performance dynamic is mesmerizing.
The Enkare Saxophone Quartet captures an aspect of African jazz music that has hitherto been missing in the Kenyan music scene. Their music is impressive, captivating, and unforgettable and celebrates the vibrant dynamism of the saxophone family as solo, melodic, and harmonic instruments. Their performances are a celebration of jazz harmony and African culture and showcase the talents of each member of the quartet.
If you want a truly unique and exciting musical experience, check out Enkare Saxophone Quartet!
Ghetto Classics (Kenya)
Ghetto Classics is the flagship programme of the Art of Music Foundation. The programme is the result of its Founder, Elizabeth Njoroge’s vision for classical music’s ability to change the lives of children in some of the poorest communities in Nairobi. Started in 2007, the community programme involves over 500 children in Korogocho – where about 300,000 urban, low income households exist.
The program also works with over 1000 more children in nine satellite areas around Nairobi, one in Kiambu and four in Mombasa. Through such partnerships, the Festival will continue to uplift and empower communities across Kenya.
MUBBA (Tanzania)
Mubba (born Humphrey Mbaruku) is a jazz bassist, songwriter and composer from Tanzania. Since his beginnings, both traditional jazz and African music form an important part of his life. He has been inspired by artists such as Richard Bona, Ettiene Mbape, Marcus Miller, Tatu Nane, Jimmy DluDlu, Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela among other greats. Due to these varieties and legendary experience and exposure, his music connects with audiences from different cultures around Africa and other corners of the world as well.
He has performed at concerts and featured in collaborations and live recordings of other people as a bass player, entertaining audiences with his special kind of fusion and jazz. Mubba has been a member of Witiri Jazz, Moon Jazz, a fusion jazznband that performed at notable events like Jazz Night, charity events and Alliance Francaise organized creative events in Arusha and Dar Es Salaam. Playing live music as a full time occupation for Mubba has seen him appear at festivals around Tanzania like Ongala Festival, Kan Festival, Bagamoyo Festival while featuring in various recordings at numerous studios. He has played with artists and musicians from inside and outside Tanzania namely Paul Clement, Joel Lwaga, Ruby, Mozez Zamangwa, Isabella Novella, Bob Julie, King David, and many others.
In mid 2021 Mubba finished his education in music at Tumaini University, Makumira where he also got a chance to be one of the judges in the UK Talent Train in Arusha. Now he is working as a music teacher at FEZA international school. He got a chance to teach music to orphanage students and a few local schools as a volunteer where he shared much needed knowledge and experience with students and colleagues alike.
He recently got a chance to perform at the Tedx event doing two of his original compositions.
The Safaricom Youth Orchestra (KENYA)
The Safaricom Youth Orchestra is an exciting musical project that was launched by Bob Collymore in April 2014. It’s made up of young musicians aged between 10 to 17years from different backgrounds united by music. The players whose talent spans across the four groups of musical instruments; woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings are under the guidance of the it’s directors Duncan Wambugu, Levi Wataka and qualifiedt utors.
The members have performed with various events such as Madaraka Day at State House, the Safaricom Jazz Festival and more.
Sam Mutuku (KENYA)
Embark on a sonic journey with Nairobi-based musician Samuel Mutuku, whose musical exploration spans jazz, European-art music, Kenyan folk, and contemporary genres. A versatile sideman, Samuel has collaborated with notable musicians and entities such as Chris Adwar, Kaima Mwiti, Jacob Asiyo, The Beathogs and Sauti Sol.
As a composer and leader, he has been a crucial member of Ad Hoc and the Maskani Big Band, achieving milestones like sharing the stage with Grammy Award winning artist in Diane Reeves in 2018 and playing at SolFest in 2023.
Beyond his instrumental prowess, Samuel is committed to offering an alternative live music experience, combining technical mastery, intricate arrangements, and compelling narratives to inspire and entertain.
Connect with him on Instagram , Facebook, and Twitter.
Explore Samuel Mutuku’s music on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. Join him on this musical journey, where every note tells a story, and each performance is an invitation to experience the magic of interconnected musical worlds.
Syssi Mananga (DRC)
Multiple Award Winning singer-song writer, Syssi Mananga was revealed to the public with her first album Retour aux Sources (“Back to Roots”) in 2012. Her sound is a fusion of musical styles at the crossroads of Kongo rhythms, jazz, soul, zouk and pop.
The Congolese-Belgian artist innovates with songs in Lingala, French, English and Spanish. Her latest album Mopepe Mama (2021) was acclaimed by music critics worldwide, topping at #6 of the World Music Chart by TWMC.
“Mopepe Mama is given strength by Mananga’s bewitching melisma. A seamless, uplifting work.” —Songlines
“One of the best surprises to come along in quite some time. Musicianship is first class.” — Sunday Times
Syssi’s songs will transport you with themes around the pride for one’s origins, the absurdity of war through the eyes of a child soldier, the courage to stand for freedom, the need for respect for the environment, as well as love and forgiveness.
The Jazztified (Kenya)
The Jazztified is a musical ensemble that creates memorable experiences.
We do this through the medium of music, particularly the genres of jazz, salsa, contemporary African, vintage soul and R&B.
The Jazztified is made up of a line-up of talented and seasoned music professionals. Led by saxophonist Tim Riungu, a regular performer in Nairobi’s jazz venues since 2007, the group began in 2018 as an acoustic trio. Along with Sedar Oddenyo and Tony Kimangu, the act, then known as the Sax Appeal trio, pioneered the live music culture at the iconic Geco Café, Nairobi.
2022 witnessed the expansion of the group as keyboardist extraordinare George “Possum” Nyoro, trumpet maestro Ben Maleck and groovemaster Richard Wandati joined and elevated the group’s vibe. With the growth of a second gig, The Sundowner at Ndemi Place, the band welcomed vocalist Shitaqua Musoga.
The Jazztified continues their residency at both the vibrant Geco Café and the exclusive Ndemi Place, playing a dynamic mix of adventurous music, reinterpreting classics and presenting original music to the world.
We look forward to sharing our sounds and vibes and honour the memory of Bob Collymore, a dedicated patron of jazz music and the arts.
David “DJ D-Lite” Muriithi (Kenya)
DJ D-Lite oozes charisma and his beaming onstage persona paired with his intrinsic command over whichever crowd he plays for is but one of the reasons why he has remained relevant to a wide local and international demographic over the past 32 years. Often nicknamed “The Legend” his experience is unparalleled in the East African entertainment industry. His music tastes and fanbase stretches from 25yrs to the 50+ yrs demographic – A rare feat.
Creative entrepreneur, legendary event and talent manager, music promoter, property developer and DJ, David Muriithi is also CEO of the Creative Enterprise Centre whose main focus are implementing strategies that enhance professionalism within the creative industry in Africa. He has discovered and nurtured many creative talents in East Africa, especially musicians, including the legendary East African Hip Hop trio Kalamashaka, Hardstone, Necessary Noize, Nameless, Suzanna Owiyo, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji and Warner/Gallo signed Valerie Kimani amongst many others in a creative career spanning over 32 years both in the UK and East Africa.
David, a retired Ernst & Young auditor, has manifested his creative expression through his alter ego, the very popular DJ D-Lite over the past 3 decades and had opened for various Grammy-Award winning acts such as Run DMC, Kool & The Gang, Simply Red, Brand New Heavies, James Taylor Quartet, Blackstreet, SWV, James Ingram, Freddie Jackson, Hugh Masekela and featured in various major local events such as The Safaricom and Bob Collymore Jazz Festivals, Blankets & Wine, Koroga Festival amongst others. He has also Deejayed across Europe (UK, Italy, Belgium, Holland – including the infamous Ibiza), South America (Brazil) as well as across Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa) specialising in (but not restricted to) Old School, Jazz, House and Hip Hop music and recently had the honour to play music for former US President Barack Obama during his recent visit to Kenya in 2018.
An expert on creative entrepreneurship including Intellectual Property, David is often consulted widely across the globe on matters connected with trade and industry in creativity and creative products. He has sat as a board member on The Kenya Copyright Board for 6 years and was also the regional agent for South Africa’s Afro-Jazz Legend the late Hugh Masekela for over 20 years.