The Nile Gold Jazz Safari

The Jazz Safari project was conceived by TShaka ‘TSbR’ Mayanja in 2008. He introduced the idea to his friend Elijah Kitaka the host of the popular Jazz Evenings show on Radio One every Sunday. TShaka named it ‘The Sizzling Jazz Safari’. Together they partnered and organized the very first Jazz Safari, which was held outdoors in the Ange Mystique Cark Parking Yard on 19th December 2008. The concert featured US Jazz luminaries Eric Marienthal on the Saxophone and Oscar Seaton on drums. Others were TShaka (Bass), Pragmo (Piano), Henry Holder (Keyboards/Synths), Deziray Eric Bucumi (Lead Guitar), Michael Ouma (Acoustic/Rhythm Guitar) and Wakake Otieno (Percussions). The event was sponsored by Club Beer, Nokia – Midcom, True African, Radio One and Ange Mystique.

TShaka then approached several sponsors to fund the second Jazz Safari, as the vision is to have this event annually. MTN Uganda and Nile Breweries (with their Nile Gold Brand) answered the call in the affirmative! Later, The Vision Group (New Vision and Vision Voice) came on board as the Official media partner. The second Jazz Safari was dubbed, ‘The MTN Jazz Safari’, and it took place on 08th October 2009 at the Kampala Serena (Victoria Ballroom). It was a full house. The show was fantastic. On stage were Chuck Loeb (Guitar), Eric Marienthal (Sax), Oscar Seaton (Drums), Matt Cooper (Piano), TShaka ‘TSbR’ Mayanja (Bass), Pragmo (Keyboards/Synths), Wakake Otieno (Percussions) and Steve Oundo (Vocals).

On 28th November 2009, The Jazz Safari then moved on to Kigali Rwanda, again courtesy of MTN; this time MTN Rwanda. The event was held at the Serena Hotel Kigali Auditorium. On stage were BlackRoots UNLIMITED (TShaka Mayanja & Pragmo) backed by the Kenyan band GOGOSIMO. The show was one big party with lots of dancing, food and drink.

On 06th December 2009, The Safari moved to Nairobi Kenya, this time sponsored by Sierra Premium Beer. The event was dubbed, ‘The Sierra Jazz Safari 2009’. The show was at the Nairobi Museum (Dr. Leakey Auditorium) and on stage was US Jazz legend Gerald Albright. It was a fantastic show. Gerald was backed by Darlene ‘Twilite’ Moreno (Guitar), Albert Burnett III (Drums), TShaka ‘TSbR’ Mayanja (Bass), Arlington Jones II (Piano), Zak Amunga Omuyeshi (Keys/Synths) and Wakake Otieno (Percussions).

The Sierra Jazz Safari also had several Kenyan Jazz musicians performing in both the afternoon and evening shows. These included Aaron ‘Keys’ Rimbui, Hellon, Kanji Mbugua, Maia van Lekow, Eddie Grey and others.

The dream for the Jazz Safari project is to promote Jazz in East & Central Africa first and foremost, then to other parts of Africa. TShaka wants to make Jazz and Funk mainstream music in the region. Through The Jazz Safari tours, he hopes to achieve this goal. The Jazz Safari in conjunction with various music schools, is going to facilitate Jazz studies in East Africa.