Helena Mayanja (M) during the inaugural Jazz festival
By Helena Mayanja
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The forthcoming “dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival,” which is set to reveal Uganda’s cultural ties to a global sound, is something every show going Ugandan should look forward to.
The show, which is set to take place on May 10th 2025 at Kampala Serena Hotel, will feature America’s Jazz Superstar Kirk Whalum, Uganda’s Isaiah Katumwa, Tshaka Mayanja and the Black Roots Academy of Soul.
To get the gist of what is going to unravel on that day, we should take a quick look at the advent of jazz, that has resulted into the groovy fusion that has rocked the entertainment industry for many years.
Born in the early 20th century in the cultural melting pot of New Orleans, jazz emerged as a powerful expression of the African American experience; blending blues, ragtime, and West African rhythms into a genre defined by improvisation, soul, and innovation.
Over time, jazz evolved into a global phenomenon, celebrated for its ability to cross borders and bring people together through the universal language of music.
In Uganda, this global genre has found fertile ground. The fusion of Ugandan sounds with the improvisational spirit of jazz has given rise to a vibrant musical movement that honours heritage while embracing innovation.
As Uganda’s creative economy grows, jazz is emerging as a strategic cultural and economic asset.
To amplify the undying desire for African and Ugandan music at that, the “dfcu Jazz in the Pearl” festival, event promises to celebrate the Pearl of Africa’s place in the global jazz landscape.
Ms Helena Mayanja
Through this initiative, dfcu stands at the front of a cultural movement that uplifts local talent and positions Uganda as a rising hub for cultural tourism and artistic excellence.
But what makes jazz so culturally relevant to Uganda? The answer lies in the genre’s historical connection to African rhythms, its ability to communicate across cultures, and its growing influence on the next generation of Ugandan musicians.
A genre born from African rhythms, spirituals and blues; it has deep roots in the cultural history of the African diaspora.
Uganda as a country, with a vibrant and diverse musical heritage, shares many of the rhythms, modes, and melodic structures that are characteristic of jazz.
As Uganda’s music scene grows, Jazz provides a platform for artists to explore the depths of their cultural heritage while simultaneously engaging with a global language of music that speaks to audiences worldwide. In jazz, we find a shared African heritage.
While jazz’s African roots are evident, the genre has taken on a life of its own globally. For Uganda, the growing popularity of Jazz offers a gateway to the international music scene, presenting the country’s musicians with new opportunities for visibility and collaboration.
Through international collaborations, jazz becomes a global connector, placing Uganda on the International Stage
For young Ugandan musicians, Jazz aligns with their aspirations to push boundaries and experiment with global sounds while remaining rooted in their cultural identity.
Just as Afrobeats has taken the global stage, jazz presents another avenue for Ugandan musicians to establish themselves on global platforms, showcasing the country’s artistic innovation and its potential as a cultural powerhouse in East Africa.
dfcu Bank’s commitment to cultivating Uganda’s cultural and creative economies is exemplified through sponsorships like the “dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival,” which creates jobs, promotes tourism, and generates income for a variety of sectors, from hospitality to transportation.
By supporting the arts, dfcu Bank is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of Uganda’s music industry. As Jazz continues to inspire, it will undoubtedly remain an integral part of Uganda’s cultural and musical future.
It promises to bring the world to Uganda by taking Uganda’s music to the world.
