Sithole festival a resounding success

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday September 10, 2008 00:00

 The festival was organised by Satchmo's Jazz Cafe in collaboration with Street Horn Promotions and some local Afro jazz artists.

Sithole, who played for one of the local giants, Socca Moruakgomo's band, recently died after a short illness.

Local promoter, Soares Katumbela, said the festival was a big success even though some artists who were scheduled to perform did not turn up. 

They included Lister Boleseng, Punah Gabasiane and Nono Siile.

 
Katumbela said the festival was a success in terms of both attendance and organisation.  He said the artists who performed showed their dedication. 

Katumbela said they had agreed with Satchmo's management that they were going to take 80 percent of the gate-takings.  The money will be passed on to Sithole's family in Bulawayo. 

But he would not state the exact amount raised until after meeting with the management of Satchmo's club. 

The artists who performed included Socca Moruakgomo, Calvin Kaluza, Ntsholeng 'Citie' Seetso, Tumediso 'Shanti-Lo' Loeto and Brand New Vibe band.

As for the artists who failed to show up, Katumbela said Siile only sent him an SMS on Monday morning, apologising that she would be held up that evening.

He said Boleseng told him that he had been playing at a wedding in Mochudi and by the time he finished, he was exhausted.

Gabasiane told Showbiz that her backing band was performing in Selebi-Phikwe.  She tried to call them, but they only returned to Gaborone the following day.

'I told the organisers that my backing band had gone to perform elsewhere,' she said.  Gabasiane said it is not easy to organise a band for a free show.

However, Katumbela denied that Gabasiane told them anything about her band.  In any case, the understanding was that the musicians were going to jam.

Steve Raman of Satchmo's, said he was impressed with Saturday's show. Echoing Katumbela's sentiments that the festival was successful, he said it was a good thing that the musicians had met to raise funds for a fallen colleague.

Raman said the festival was not commercially motivated, but was meant to raise funds for Sithole's family.

He said he would soon meet with the other organisers to see how much has been raised. 
Raman said they also wanted to make a contribution because Satchmo's has turned into a home for most of the local Afro jazz artists.  There is no Afro jazz artist who has not performed at the Gaborone West jazz club.  Just the previous weekend, the club hosted Boleseng.

The Saturday festival started on a sombre note and patrons were seated as the musicians performed. However, as time went on patrons invaded the stage.

Moruakgomo who staged a solo act, blew his trumpet for a fallen soldier.  Moruakgomo's performance was quite moving.

Other musicians also played their part to honour the jazz great.