Jonathan Butler jazzes for charity

Sep 30, 2007

IN just one word, Jonathan Butler’s show was awesome. His performance at Kampala Serena Hotel on Saturday was worth the sh120,000 entrance fee. <br>The concert, sponsored by Celtel, raised funds for The Aids Support Organisation’s orphaned children.

IN just one word, Jonathan Butler’s show was awesome. His performance at Kampala Serena Hotel on Saturday was worth the sh120,000 entrance fee. The concert, sponsored by Celtel, raised funds for The Aids Support Organisation’s orphaned children.

Butler strummed the guitar, the way he has done since 1977, when he was signed to Jive Records. The singer, songwriter and producer explored R’n’B, Pop, Gospel and Jazz Fusion, taking guests through a two-hour journey of old and new music. Those into Jazz definitely loved it.

Vocalist Kurt Lykes, in showing off what he was made of after his introduction, sang soulfully about his need for a Ugandan lady. Although it was obviously a joke, a bold and beautiful lady stepped up, as Lykes knelt down for emphasis.

They later hugged amidst cheers from the audience, but after Butler had “spoilt it” for Lykes citing that on all their tours, he searches for a lady! “In the name of Jesus, go back to your seat,” Butler jokingly told the beauty.

On Do You Love Me?, one of his 1997 hits, Butler tested female and male guests’ vocals urging the ladies to sing lines in a Sade sexy tone and Chaka Khan funky tone, while the men were to try it out in Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder styles.

But the men were beaten by the ladies, thanks to their hoarse voices. Thanks to the blanket sh120,000 fee, there were no boundaries for VIP guests and others, so you could mix with a high profile guest once armed with a red wrist band.
Perhaps this helped add sparks to the usually laid back corporates; they danced when they could not help it or was it the non-corporates initiating them to groove land?

Alleluia! In all of Butler’s performances, Jesus’ name was not forgotten; his love for Christ is understandable for transforming his life.

Again, giving thanks to God, he said this week, he would become a grand-dad, after one of his three children gives birth. Mandela Bay, on which bass guitarist Stan Sergeant and Lykes made light Zulu dance moves with Butler was amazing and a crowd favourite that at the show’s end, an encore was demanded. Though based in Los Angeles, Butler showed he had not forgotten his roots.

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