South African jazz star gets fans zonked

The party goes on. Uganda has had a fair share of foreign musicians performing in the country this year. South Africa’s Zonke performing in the country on Friday.

South African, soul and Afro jazz artiste Zonke Dikina was in town and she performed at the Emin Pasha Hotel on Friday. This was not your mass concert that attracts tens of thousands of people, but rather a few hundreds who feel they are above the ordinary everyday folks – little wonder people feel jazz shows are a preserve of the snobs.

Unlike other jazz shows that come with a hefty entrance fee, this show was free of charge, but all those who attended the show are members of the TML 100 Club, a new exclusive club of Tusker Malt drinkers. In fact this was the first of several shows where some Africa’s finest musicians will hold shows in the country and TML 100 Club members will gain free access courtesy of Tusker Malt Lager. Apparently TML 100 Club members are also able to get discounts on Samsung appliances and Dstv subscriptions.

However, not everyone can join the club as members are identified as loyal Tusker drinkers through bars where they hang out and then inducted into the club.

Top on the list of attendees of the night were newlyweds Tooro Princess Ruth Komuntale and her American husband Christopher Thomas.

The show started at 8pm with evening’s emcee James Onen aka Fat Boy introducing guitar maestro, Myko Ouma, who opened up with two pieces of One day and No Name. Joel Sebunjo came on next and stole the show when he made the Kora seem so easy to play. His performance got revellers dancing and excited. Mention Youssou Ndour and Uganda mentions Sebunjo.

When the main act of the night Zonke made it to the stage, the mood was already set. Zonke’s backup for the night was a delicious, subtle, swinging ensemble. The artiste wowed fans with her melodious music, but two of her songs soared way above the others, when she sang Feelings and Viva The Legend, even the Tooro royals made way for the front to get a better glimpse of her.

It was a night of distinctive sound that emerged as a textural blend of melodic catchiness, rhythmic power, inventive arrangements, and impassioned vocals. When Zonke performs, expect voice, expect melody, and expect musicality. The South African sensational artiste makes you say Ngomso (wishing she comes again tomorrow).

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com