Jazzy Thursday at Pavillion enthrals audience

Ulla Setswalo | Monday December 1, 2014 11:01

The show, which featured musicians from Holland, South Africa and Botswana, left the jazz lovers who flocked to the venue asking for more. Local jazz star Banjo Mosele and Badisa band, featuring Sharon of My Star fame, started the show with unique melodic soothing sounds of jazz beats. The songstress sang beautifully, much to the audience’ delight. The band played popular tracks such as Sananapo and Selina, to mention a few.

The next group on stage was Soul’Afrique, a collaboration between South Africans, Sydney Mnisi (tenorist) and Fezile Feya Faku (trumpeter and composer) and Dutch men, Louk Boudesteijn (trombonist) and Paul Van Kemenada (quintet of alto saxophonist/composer) as well as Zimbabwean born Louis Mhlanga (Guitarist/singer).

The crowd went wild when SoulAfrique played Tembisa, Shawari, Two Horns and A Bass, Soul’Afrique to mention a few. When the band closed the show, revellers shouted, ”We want more!” The band returned to the stage to perform one last song.  Boudesteijn said he was happy to be in Botswana. “It was my first time here and I have enjoyed Botswana.  Unfortunately I won’t be long because we have a tour in South Africa from November 28,” he said.

He added that he would like to return to Botswana to work with local artists, as he has been doing in South Africa. Boudesteijn shared that he started playing the trombone from the age of 5, and later became a composer.

 The Holland Consulate in Botswana, Jetske Trueman Wierenga, seemed happy to have his fellow countrymen here. She opened her short speech with a Setswana statement, “Pula e monate thata,” which excited Batswana revellers.  Wierenga said she was looking forward to her country working with Botswana on cultural exchange programs.

One of the show organisers, Shima Monageng told the conveged jazz lovers that the Pavilion restaurant would host jazz nights on very last Thursday of the month from January next year.  He added that this jazz show, which included international acts, would be an annual event.

Among the crowd, were other local jazz artists Shanti Lo, Nnunu Ramogotsi, Kearoma Rantao and Punah Gabasiane-Molale, who came to show their support and mingle with the jazz legends.

Although it was raining heavily, the show was thrilling as the artists showcased their talent and different sounds.  Over 200 people graced the event and seemingly couldn’t get enough of the music as they danced and sang along well into the night.