Safaricom Jazz lounge is here with us again! On August 12th, Jazz enthusiasts will be treated to performances by among other stars, the Grammy Award nominee Hugh Masekela.
Masekela has been in the country before but never as part of Safaricom Jazz Lounge – a series of jazz events that culminate in the Safaricom Jazz Festival. Masekela is one of Africa’s most renowned African jazz musicians and his role in developing the African jazz voice cannot be under estimated. I can’t wait to see him in performance.
He is also excited to be performing here. In his own words, “It will be exciting to perform for the emerging Jazz community in Kenya, which is slowly building a reputation as a notable addition to the continent’s jazz circuit,”.
The Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore says, “We are honored to be hosting the one of the most influential African Jazz musicians; a man who has not only played an integral role in advancing Afro – Jazz music on the world stage but also showed the world the role of music in bringing social change,”.
Proceeds from Safaricom Jazz ticket sales all go to Ghetto Classics, a community program in Korogocho slums that works to nurture youngsters through music. This they do by instilling in them the life skills that go hand in hand with the discipline of studying the art of music. This very noble course gives the children a positive outlook on life and boosts their self confidence and determination to succeed in life despite their backgrounds. Furthermore, the program also provides them with income generating opportunities.
