Interview: JM International’s Matt Clark

Music Crossroads Zimbabwe will play host to the global conference, which will feature music executives, musicians, producers, festival managers and instrument makers from over 40 countries. The event will focus on performances, keynote addresses, workshops, panel discussions and more.

With a few days before the event kicks off, we spoke with JM International programmes and marketing director Matt Clark about how they intend to host the event, what they hope to accomplish, and how the event will benefit Zimbabwe’s creative sector.

MIA: How prepared are you to host the JMI Global annual music conference in Harare?

Matt Clark: We’re all set and good to go. After a fantastic first visit in May, we have worked hard over the last months, together with our colleagues from Music Crossroads Zimbabwe, to prepare an exciting programme for both local and international delegates alike. We will be showcasing some fantastic young musicians, bringing together creative thought leaders from Africa and beyond, and hope to create a unique space for inspiration, dialogue and collaboration.

Why did you choose Harare as a host city?

This will be the first time in the 78-year history of the event that we are bringing the JMI Global to Zimbabwe. As a global youth music network, JMI places great importance on being active in all world regions. The last time the JMI Global took place on the continent was in 2010 in Tanzania, so it was high time it made a return to Africa. Harare is also the birthplace of our Music Crossroads programme (established in 1997), and thus the bid was naturally received with great enthusiasm when pitched by Melody Zambuko, Music Crossroads Zimbabwe’s director, to JMI’s Annual General Assembly. Zimbabwe is globally renowned for its rich musical traditions, vibrant people and beautiful landscapes – all ingredients that helped make the choice an easy one.

What do you seek to achieve with this event and do you have any theme for the 2023 edition?

The aim of every JMI Global is to connect those working with youth and music around the world in order to foster inspiration, collaboration and exchange, creating opportunities for young people to develop through music across all boundaries. JMI’s work lies at the intersection of youth, music, education and development, thus the conference's themes and topics naturally flow from these sources, blending with influences from the host country and region. We will be discussing the role that music can play in shaping the future of young people in Africa and beyond, defining the elements required in order to create sustainable music ecosystems where youth and culture may thrive.

As JMI Global, which areas do you think the event will benefit the Zimbabwean community?

The JMI Global music conference provides the opportunity for local cultural professionals to connect with their international counterparts from over 40 countries, to share knowledge, build new cross-border music projects and expand their professional networks. With concerts planned throughout the week, we’re excited to offer Zimbabwean audiences some truly unique music experiences, for example, the first-ever Ethno Zimbabwe, an ensemble that brings together 30 young musicians from over 15 countries and cultures to play music from their countries in new and exciting arrangements. A large delegation of international cultural operators means providing important exposure to local music acts and the potential for international tours and collabs. Finally, we are certain that our delegates look very much forward to discovering all the sights, tastes and sounds that this stunning country has to offer.

Based on the previous editions, what challenges have you faced in hosting the JMI Global annual music conference?

There are the typical challenges of organising any music event of this size, but luckily we have a dream team on the job and have received fantastic local support from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and our partners in Harare. Things are now lined up to be an unforgettable music experience!

You visited Harare as part of the JMI Global preparatory delegation earlier this year. How do you envision the Zimbabwean music landscape contributing to the conference’s success?

While in Harare we had the opportunity to meet with important stakeholders from across the cultural sector, view beautiful locations, witness phenomenal music and enjoy the world-famous Zimbo hospitality, all of which we now look forward to sharing with our delegates from around the globe! The team and students of the Music Crossroads Zimbabwe Academy have been working hard to prepare for the visit, and are ready to put on a show that celebrates Zimbabwe’s phenomenal cultural heritage: past, present and future!

The full conference programme is available here.