By Our Reporter
As Uganda joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Jazz Day, local jazz fans will be treated to a special performance by African jazz legend Manu Dibango. This comes after Uganda’s jazz maestro Isaiah Katumwa organised his annual concert to coincide with the big day.
“We will celebrate this day in an African way,” Isaiah Katumwa stated. “I have lined up artistes who are championing African music globally.”
The Johnnie Walker-sponsored show which will also double as a tribute to the late Hugh Masekela will be held at Kampala Serena Hotel.
Speaking about the concert, Dibango who is in the country for the first time promised to go all out to give jazz fans a memorable time.
“We are here to pay respect to one of the greatest and everyone should enjoy the show. I can only promise a good show tonight,” said Dibango this morning at a press conference.
At the same event, multiple award winning South African Afro-soul songstress Siphokazi Maraqana who will also grace the stage tonight hailed Masekela’s influence on her 12-year-old music career. She also expressed how blessed she felt sharing a stage with Dibango and Katumwa.
“He was like a teacher to me and I learnt so many things from him. I feel great pleasure in playing on the same stage as my big brothers Katumwa and Dibango. It’s my first time here and I hope to come back in future,” said Siphokazi.