Although the genre goes all back to the early 1900’s, it was only in 2008 that jazz music really stamped its mark on Kampala’s social scene. Initially, it was used as a corporate branding tool packaged with international artistes like Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett, Chuck Loeb, Pragmo Cooper and Oscar Seaton, and South Africa’s Miriam Makebe and Jonathan Butler.
They entertained fans during corporate events like mobile telecom company, Warid’s, Kampala International Jazz Festival in 2008 and MTN’s Jazz Safari a year later as well as the annual Nile Gold Jazz Safari. At the time, Jazz was marketed for and largely associated to social class as opposed to music preference; attracting the cream of Kampala’s elite.
Harry Mwanje the Tusker Brand Manager agrees. “We have held jazz events for more than a year now and usually market it for a certain crowd consumer. We are looking for the premium person who appreciates the finer things in life.”
However it began, local jazz bands have increased and jazz audiences in Kampala are now cutting across every social class and market. Like the hip-hop, rock and oldies theme nights in local bars, jazz nights are making rounds in Kampala. Jazz music has quickly proved a successful alternative to the hip-hop that previously dominated night life of Kampala. How long the popularity will continue, or if it will be fused with other genres remains to be seen.
Jazz has over the years spawned a number of sub genres like Latin Jazz, Cape Jazz, Soul Jazz, and Jazz Rap and that list goes on. So it’s no surprise that in Kampala it’s a very thin line between ‘jazz music’ and ‘live music.’ So thin in fact, that Anitah Ahurira, an ardent fan of jazz, thinks it hardly exists at all. “Any group with a lead singer and an instrumentalist is considered by many a jazz band in Uganda.”
So who are ‘the’ names in jazz in Kampala and where can they be found? A rich palette of sounds is created by bands like Quella which plays every Friday at Emin Pasha Hotel in Nakasero. Or Code 9, which play on Friday as well at Jazzville on Bandali rise in Bugolobi (for an entrance fee of 10,000 UGX). Other jazz band performances on Fridays include Aroma band at Gattomatto (former Katch the Sun) and Magic Hornz at the Sheraton Paradise bar in Nakasero.
Baxmba Waves plays every Wednesday at 8pm at Bubbles O’Leary Irish pub and Cayenne hosts the Fusion Band that same night. Mish Mash, The Woods, and Legends Bar (in Kyadondo Rugby Grounds) have jazz gigs on Thursday. And, if you are craving the exclusive feel there is Pragmo Acid Jazz Night every last Thursday of the month at the Kampala Serena Hotel. Bands that play at the National Theatre, Club Obligato, Sabrina’s Pub or Grand Imperial hotel are generally tend to be more live performances cutting across many genres.
Given the ever increasing popularity of jazz in the city it’s unsurprising that an all-jazz bar Jazzville opened on Bandali Rise in Bugolobi. Live performances on Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday’s, and Sundays include among many Isiah Katumwa and Maurice Kirya as well as bands like Quella and Code 9.
Whether jazz in Kampala is just a passing fad, or here to stay, one thing is clear the sound has become a favourite for a growing number of local and international clientele and it’s worth investing some time in checking it out.
Check out the Facebook pages and websites of some of the most popular Ugandan jazz artists and groups:
- Tshaka Mayanja
- Quella
- Aroma Band
- Isiah Katumwa
- Maurice Kirya
Find some of the Jazz venues on Google maps by clicking on the links:
- Emin Pasha
- Jazzville
- National Theatre
- Club Obligato
- Sabrina’s Pub
- Grand Imperial hotel
- Gattomatto (formerly Katch the Sun)
- Club Amnesia
- Zone 7
- Cayenne
- Mish Mash
- The Woods
- Kampala Serena Hotel
