Kidum to headline Kigali Jazz Junction

Music In Africa spoke to the Kora Award-winning artist who said he was excited to return to Kigali where he performed a year ago. He also said that his show would differ quite substantially from his standard performances.

“This is definitely a new experience for me. I like challenges because I believe they make us better. In this case I will be performing without my Boda Boda Band. Apart from that I will also have to get some of my songs covered in a jazz style,” he said.

The ‘Mapenzi’ hitmaker also looks forward to meeting the Burundian and Kenyan communities in Rwanda.

“Most of my countrymen left Burundi during the war and have never gone back. I’m therefore honoured to perform in front of my fellow countrymen.

“I want my fans to prepare their dancing shoes as we shall be changing our dancing steps to jazz dancing style. Jazz brings out true emotions that all humans can relate to. I played Jazz music during my earlier years in music before going fully into zouk.”

The event, which is in its third year, aims to bring together quality local and regional acts on one stage.

“Beauty for Ashes is definitely one of the local gospel bands you will watch and look at their production, their vocal ability, instrumentation, arrangement and feel like, ‘Yes, now I’ve been to a gospel concert’,” Remmy Lubega, executive director of RG Concult, the organisers of the monthly jazz forum, told The New Times. “On the other hand Kidum is one of the most celebrated live performers of all time.”

Last month's Kigali Jazz junction concert was headlined by Kenyan Cece Sagini. Watch at her performance below:

Kidum, whose real name is Jean-Pierre Nimbona, is also the organiser of Buja Summer Fest in Burundi. He will be travelling with Boda Boda Band to the shores of Lake Tanganyika to perform at the opening of a beach hotel next month.