Jazz DJ SK presents on Duma Fm

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Tuesday June 17, 2008 00:00

Soares presents the Sunday afternoon jazz programme on the radio station.

The radio station could not have chosen a better man candidate for the job as Soares - who is also renowned as 'DJ SK' - boasts of a vast experience in the field as a jazz promoter and DJ.

Soares said the aim of his programme, Street Horn Jazz, is to promote local jazz. But he is also spicing the programme with foreign music. 

During the programme, he interviews jazz personalities like DJs and promoters. One of the jazz personalities who featured on the programme  recently is DJ Jonas 'Jazzy Jay' Moipolai. 

Soares jazz days take him to his roots in Francistown where it was all happening. In the 80s, Soares' family owned a liquor restaurant, which was located opposite Tati Town Police Station. Their mother was operating a small general dealer, which was located in the same premises, while Soares and his brother took care of the liquor restaurant and the cooking part of it. The guys could not only cook up a storm especially fish, but they also offered jazz music as part of the menu. On Sundays you could hear the place blaring with the sounds of Louis Armstrong and other jazz luminaries. Guys from Gabs used to chill out at Katumbela's beer garden over the weekend. Some of them could skip work on Monday because they were at the Francistown club on Sunday.

After closing on Sundays, Soares would dash to the town centre to catch up with the other jazz lovers at New Yorker nightclub. This was where the jazz club met.

Members of the jazz club included the likes of Cynthia 'MmaT' Bright, the country's first woman drummer and the legendary jiver, Bra Jabu Ndlovu. Soares did not pitch at the New York for the jazz club affair only but he was also the jazz DJ on Sundays as well. 

During that time jazz was a popular respected genre in Francistown than anywhere else in Botswana. 

On Sunday evenings at New Yorker you could find some of the top people in town; lawyers, bankers, business people and other professionals. New Yorker was the place to be. 

As time went on, Soares also went into jazz promotion,  by staging festivals featuring jazz artistes. In the early 1991, he brought to Francistown, South African Afro jazz group, Sakhile that featured the likes of saxophonist Khaya Mhlangu, Sipho Gumede and other talented musicians. The group staged a memorable show at a farm outside Francistown. Since then, Soares maintained a long working relationship with Gumede until the latter died. He organised several shows for Gumede in the country.

Soares turned their liquor restaurant into a nightspot, Ritzmar which became a popular joint. But the joint became uncontrollable following the introduction of the 'gong' beat and youngsters. 

When things became tough, Soares closed shop and relocated to Gaborone in the mid 90s.

But he starved Francistown residents of good entertainment by his move to Gaborone.

Soares also established Street Horn Promotions, which is his promotion company. 

After moving to Gaborone, Soares operated a number of establishments. At some stage, he joined Steve Raman at Dukes restaurant in the African Mall, which was also offering jazz. But the enterprising Soares later went his own way. 

He turned Mogo Hotel into a Mecca of entertainment when he was operating a nightclub at the hotel premises, which was known as Take Five.

However, it was unfortunate for him that every time he turned a place around, envious landlords would kick him out.

The same thing happened to him when he was running another spot at Mmamashia. The owner of the building took over from him, when the joint became vibrant. 

Other places that Soares operated, included Village Gate at Molepolole. He is now operating Jazz Brew in Mochudi. 

Even when Satchmo's Jazz Caf was in its infancy, Raman invited Soares and his protg, DJ Milton to popularise the venue. Within no time, Satchmo's began to attract good crowds. At the beginning of last year, he was operating Lizard Lounge at the Village and staged a number of shows for local artists.

Soares continues to promote jazz festivals. Some of the foreign artists he brought into the country include Bhudaza and Louis Mhlanga. 

He is also managing local artists like Shanti-Lo. Other artists he worked with include Ndingo Johwa. 

Street Horn Promotions has also compiled a CD featuring local and South African jazz artists. 

As a promoter, Soares has also burnt his fingers. At some stage, he organised festivals which became a flop in terms of attendance.

This nearly got him into trouble as artists demanded their money.

But despite all the pitfalls associated with this game, Soares is determined to go on. 

For him, music is not only about business but it is also a passion. Otherwise he could have given up the fight a long time ago.