Qwela Junction II returns with sax aces

Jun 17, 2015

After a successful "Guitar Maestros" edition in April this year, Qwela Junction II, a quarterly series of collaborative concert, returns July 26 at Kampala Serena Hotel, this time featuring top saxophone players in town.

By Steven Odeke

After a successful "Guitar Maestros" edition in April this year, Qwela Junction II, a quarterly series of collaborative concert, returns July 26 at Kampala Serena Hotel, this time featuring top saxophone players in town.

The saxophonist's line up include legendary Isaiah Katumwa, Afrigo Band's Moses Matovu, Michael Kitanda, Brian Mugenyi, Janzi Band's Joseph ‘Sax’ Kizito, Habbi ‘Happy K’ Kyazze, and Maureen 'MoRoots' Rutabingwa, the only female on the cast.

Joe Kahirimbanyi, the concert's founder revealed at a press briefing held at Vision Group's offices, Wednesday morning, that "Sax Aces" will aim at giving fans of quality music another top-notch performance, probably better than the "Guitar Maestros."

"We have chosen a cream of the crop and added in those that are not so much in the spotlight. Rehearsals are underway and definitely, this will be another grand performance of familiar tunes but delivered with excellence and superb quality,” he said.

Katumwa, who recently celebrated 20 years of his career, said the event signifies the growth of jazz music in Uganda and is ready to work with youngsters on the line-up alongside others:

"This shows Jazz exists in Uganda. It is known in East Africa that Uganda delivers quality music and this is more of a dream come true for me,” Katumwa said. "It will be a generational event. I have done it through the '90s up to now and there are so many others who might not be on this cast like Mark Langa that are talented. But it is exciting for me because it shows that we have talent. It is a sign of growth to our audience.”

The "My Joy" player also revealed he will be the host on that Sunday night and will also broadcast it on his Urban TV music show, "Jazz With Isaiah."

The newer faces on the cast will perhaps be Kizito and Kyazze. The two have been playing professionally for three years for Janzi and 442 bands, but may not be as popular as the others. But good enough they revealed that they are working on solo projects. MoRoots, a singer and composer, has established her name as the leading female saxophonist on the local music scene and has performed at bigger events before.

The event is sponsored by Vision Group's The Beat Magazine, Fenon Events, DigiPrint, and Kampala Serena Hotel among others. Tickets will cost sh50,000.