Annual Nile Gold Jazz Safari

The Jazz Safari project was conceived by TShaka ‘Roots’ Mayanja (www.blackrootsunlimited.com) in 2008. He introduced the idea to his friend Elijah Kitaka the host of the popular Jazz Evenings show on Radio One every Sunday. TShaka named it ‘The Sizzling Jazz Safari’ (www.facebook.com/annualnilegoldjazzsafari)

Together, they partnered and organized the very first Jazz Safari, which was held outdoors in the Ange Mystique Car Parking Yard on 19th December 2008. The concert featured US Jazz luminaries Eric Marienthal on the Saxophone and Oscar Seaton Jr on drums. Others were TShaka (Bass), Pragmo (Piano), Henry Holder (Keyboards/Synths), Deziray Eric Bucumi (Lead Guitar), Michael Ouma (Acoustic/Rhythm Guitar) and Wakake Otieno (Percussions).

The event was sponsored by Club Beer, Nokia – Midcom, True African, Radio One and Ange Mystique.

TShaka then approached several sponsors to fund the second Jazz Safari, as the vision is to have this event annually. MTN Uganda and Nile Breweries (with their Nile Gold Brand) answered the call in the affirmative! Later, The Vision Group (New Vision and Vision Voice) came on board as the Official media partner.

The second Jazz Safari was dubbed, ‘The MTN Jazz Safari’, and it took place on 08th October 2009 at the Kampala Serena (Victoria Ballroom). It was a full house! On stage we had; Chuck Loeb (Guitar), Eric Marienthal (Sax), Oscar Seaton Jr (Drums), Matt Cooper (Piano), TShaka ‘TSbR’ Mayanja (Bass), Pragmo (Keyboards/Synths), Wakake Otieno (Percussions) and Steve Oundo (Vocals).

On 28th November 2009, The Jazz Safari then moved on to Kigali Rwanda, again courtesy of MTN; this time MTN Rwanda. The event was held at the Serena Hotel Kigali Auditorium. On stage we had BlackRoots UNLIMITED (TShaka Mayanja & Pragmo) backed by the Kenyan band GOGOSIMO. The show was one big party with lots of dancing, food and drink!

On 06th December 2009, The Safari moved to Nairobi Kenya, this time sponsored by Sierra Premium Beer (www.sierrapremium.com). The event was dubbed, ‘The Sierra Jazz Safari 2009’. The show was at the Nairobi Museum (Dr. Leakey Auditorium) and on stage we had US Jazz legend Gerald Albright! Gerald was backed by Darlene ‘Twilite’ Moreno (Guitar), Albert Burnett III (Drums), TShaka ‘TSbR’ Mayanja (Bass), Arlington Jones II (Piano), Zak Amunga Omuyeshi (Keys/Synths) and Wakake Otieno (Percussions).

The Sierra Jazz Safari also had several Kenyan Jazz musicians performing in both the afternoon and evening shows. These included Aaron ‘Keys’ Rimbui, Hellon, Kanji Mbugua, Maia van Lekow, Eddie Grey and others.

Consequently, Jonathan Butler featured in the 2nd Edition of the Sierra Jazz Safari in 2010 at the Boma Theatre in Nairobi.

1st Edition 2008 -
Headlined by Eric Marienthal and Oscar Seaton Jr., featuring Deziray Bucumi, Wakake Otieno, Myko Ouma, Pragmo and TSBR

2nd Edition 2009 -
Headlined by Eric Marienthal, Chuck Loeb and Oscar Seaton Jr., featuring Matt Cooper, Pragmo, Wakake Otieno and TSBR

3rd Edition 2010 -
Headlined by Gerald Albright and Jonathan Butler, featuring Jay Williams, Arlington Jones II, Ricky Lawson, Darlene Moreno, TSBR, Rico Del Monte, David Mukalazi

4th Edition 2011 -
Headlined by Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett, featuring Jermaine Paul, Selina Albright, Jehron Garnett, Matt Cooper, Rick Watford, TSBR, Mo Pleasure and Rico

5th Edition 2012 -
Headlined by Gerald Albright, Regina Belle and Marion Meadows featuring Rhonda Smith, Marcus Williams, Mo Pleasure, Rick Watford, Tony Momrelle, Selina Albright and Rico

6th Edition 2013 -
Headlined by Patches Stewart, Keith Sweat, Tom Braxton and John Blackwell, featuring Greg Spero, Charlie Singleton, Karl Vanden Bossche, Tony Momrelle and Gary Grainger

7th Edition 2014 -
Headlined by Norman Brown, Tizer and Joe Thomas, featuring Chieli Minucci, Andre Manga, Gail Jhonson, Steve Nieves and Raul Pineda

THE VISION