February… For the love, and all that Jazz

Safaricom Youth Orchestra and Ghetto Classics are set to experience a rare opportunity of sharing a platform with two-time Grammy award winner, Marcus Miller.

The two musical youth groups that draw membership from Kenya’s informal settlements will also play along Jazzrausch Bigband (Germany), Toine Thys Trio feat Herve Samb (Belgium), Yazmin Lacey (United Kingdom), Viviane (Portugal) and the Omri Mor Trio (Israel).

To top it off, they will get inspiration from Kenya’s self-trained guitarist Kato Change, who has been nurtured to global status by the online community through YouTube.

Kato, the country’s premiere guitarist, is a champion of global cultural exchange, making the platform very exciting and historical for the upcoming artistes.

He brings into the performance a wealth of talent from his closet of self-directed style drawn from a heritage of African music, Jazz, Hip hop, Blues and House.

HONE TALENT
Miller, who has been on top of his game over the last three-decades, will headline the 2019 edition of The Safaricom International Jazz Festival scheduled for February 11-17 at Kasarani Sports Stadium.

The two Kenyan music youth groups and international groups will feature in the sixth edition of the festival as supporting artistes.

In six years running, Safaricom has strived to push boundaries and take local jazz to the next level by nurturing local talents and links with the best global artistes.

And the choice of Miller is not by sheer coincidence; he is the winner of the 2013 Edison Award for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz (Holland), winner of the 2010 Victoire du Jazz (France) and in 2013, was appointed a UNESCO Artist for Peace.

His characteristic bass sound can be heard on a limitless catalogue of musical hits from Bill Wither’s "Just the Two of Us”, to Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”, to songs from Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Elton John and Bryan Ferry.

MARKETING
Listening to Miller’s music it is undeniable that it is an experience and is thus expected to draw audiences from across the globe.

Safaricom has affirmed its commitment to sustain a working relationship with world-class talent and create a platform to showcase local talent to the World.

This goes beyond availing platforms for Kenyan acts to collaborate with their more experienced counterparts.

The telecommunications operator leverages on this opportunity to support the most talented but needy children by helping improve their socio-economic status.

For instance, Safaricom Youth Orchestra launched in April 2014, brings together 70 children aged between 10 and 18 from different backgrounds but are united by musical talent.

The group offers them an opportunity of a lifetime to grow into the best musicians they can be.

SELF-SUSTENANCE
On the other hand, Ghetto Classics, a flagship programme of the Art of Music Foundation, supports more than 300 children in Korogocho – one of Kenya’s biggest slums - and more than 600 in 10 satellite areas around Nairobi, Kiambu and Mombasa through the Link Up Programme.

The Art of Music Foundation capitalises on music education to empower youth within its coverage and offer them opportunities to improve the well-being of their community.

Youths are equipped with life skills within the discipline of music and also exposed to income generating opportunities.

The Ghetto Classics music programme has been the exclusive beneficiary of the Safaricom Jazz since 2014, having received approximately Sh60 million.

EVENT
These funds have transformed the lives of more than 1,400 children from Nairobi and Mombasa, with a goal of expanding the transformative initiative across the country.

The festival collects Sh10,000 per person and Sh150,000 for corporate tables on its VIP show. This years VIP show will be on Friday, February 15.

On Sunday, February 17, the gates will be opened for the general public at a charge of Sh2,000 for adults and Sh500 for students.

Students will be required to show a proof of identity to be allowed into the venue.

Proceeds from the 2018/2019 edition will see the Ghetto Classics School programme extend to Kisumu.