The director of Kgalagadi Jazz, Shima Monageng said the stable will be available to play music at corporate events, weddings and other social functions, but the DJs will be mainly resident at the Millennium Jazz restaurant and will play music throughout the week.
He disclosed that the stable comprises DJ Milton, DJ Lucia Molebatsi and McJon Mosenene.
Both Molebatsi and McJon have appeared as guests on Uncle Shima’s Gabz FM, Sunday jazz programme.
Monageng was over the moon about acquiring DJ Milton’s service. But he said there was no rivalry between Kgalagadi Jazz Beat and DJ Milton’s previous employers, Street Horn Promotions.
Monageng described Milton as a well-known seasoned jazz DJ, who has been in the business since the early 90s.
He also managed the Nosey Road Club in Lobatse where he was resident DJ.
In the late 90s, he operated at Club XXL in Francistown and has also worked at Trekkers in Maun and another club in Orapa.
Monageng said even in the past, Kgalagadi Jazz used to work with DJ Milton on some projects. “I personally regard him as an all round jazz DJ and one of the best. He is committed and takes his job seriously,” he said.
Monageng revealed that DJ Milton will also be their entertainment and marketing manager and will be tasked with turning around the entertainment environment at Millennium.
“The clientele has always been there, but the biggest worry is to retain it. We are bringing Milton here to take care of our customers. In my opinion, he has created his own household name, that is why we felt he should come and lead Kgalagadi Jazz Beat.
This will ensure that we don’t compromise our standards. We will also continue to be a force to reckon with,” said Mona-geng who is excited about the
new developments at his stable.
“Anytime you walk into the Millennium, you will be able to hear nothing but jazz. This is something that Milton will be able to do. Ours will be a long term relation,” he said.
Monageng said they have always been impressed by the patronage at the Millennium, even during winter.
“Normally in winter, you expect the patronage to drop but this was not the case. Maybe it was some of the incentives that we introduced like jazz by the fire.”
Jazz by the fire is the concept that the management of the Kgalagadi Jazz conceived when they were still operating at the Swiss Chalet. They lit fires where patrons could sit warmly while sampling the blues.
Monageng said this concept has proved to be quite successful because patrons do not have to worry about the cold.
Monageng recalled that for the last 11 years, Kgalagadi Jazz has been promoting local jazz musicians by staging concerts and festivals.
Some of the local artister who performed under the stable include Banjo Mosele, Socca Moruakgomo and Lawrence Khupe.
“Our intention is to continue staging the shows,” he declared.
He says in summer, they are going to stage more performances by local and foreign artister.
Monageng said patrons at the Millennium will continue to be tuned in to his Sunday radio programme. He believes this enables the followers of the programme to listen to it even when they are not at home.
He said patrons can also be able to discuss the music when they are sitting together.
He feels that people could also manage to make it to the club early instead of listening to the programme at home. He says the jazz sessions do not always have to start in the evenings.
“Even in the afternoons, people can still listen to jazz.”
Monageng said that ultimately their intention is to form a jazz club that will hook-up with other joints.
