Zim band seeks funding to compete at a music final in Croatia

The music outfit won the National Imagine Festival in Zimbabwe in 2015 and now waits to compete in the international final in Zagreb, Croatia, against winners from Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, France and Sweden.

Music Crossroads International’s Rikke Lorenzen told Music In Africa: “This is an amazing opportunity for them and we want to help them fulfill their dream. Together we can bring JESA to Croatia and help promote African music and pride worldwide.”

The organization has since started an online fundraising campaign on Indiegogo’s Generosity platform. According to the campaign, the goal is to raise $7,000 to cover six flight tickets from Harare to Zagreb. Smaller costs such as insurance, accommodation and food will be covered by MCI.  

 The breakdown is as follows:

• Six tickets from Harare to Zagreb $7,080 (1,180 USD each)
• Passport issuing $600
•  Six travel insurance certificates $120
• Visa to Croatia $360

About JESA

JESA is an Afro-fusion music outfit from the dusty streets of Chitungwiza, a town in the south of Harare, Zimbabwe. Most of the group currently study music at the MCAZ, a school supported by MCI, an organisation that believes in the power of music to transform youngsters’ lives.  

The group is made up of six members, namely Kudakwashe Kanyerere (a drummer), Tinotenda Zingapeta (bass guitar), Exodus Bande (keyboards), Tafadzwa Ngwindema (percussionist and vocals), Leah Kasinamunda (vocalist) and Alfred Phiri (mbira and vocals). Their music is inspired by a rich background of different music genres. All members come from underprivileged backgrounds, hence the need for funding to perform to an international audience and spread Zimbabwean music to the world.

This is not the first time a music group from Zimbabwe has competed at this prestigious event. In 2013 a young Zimbabwean band called WERE, from Music Crossroads Academy in Zimbabwe, won the Imagine finals and got the opportunity to travel around Europe and perform.

The Imagine Festival is an all-styles music competition for young artists (under 21) that takes a different approach to the typical music contest. All events have an educational/social dimension, including training, workshops and master classes from industry professionals. Competitions are held annually on a national scale in Belgium, Croatia, France, Malawi, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Zimbabwe.