US, Malawi meet on Jazz stage

Applause and cheers engulfed the Crossroads Hotel auditorium when a Malawian band met fellows from US on stage in celebration of International Jazz Day.

The day, commemorated on April 30 annually celebrates jazz music, history, as well as jazz musicians.

The US Embassy in Malawi organised the event for the first time in Malawi and it was a rare treat for jazz lovers in Lilongwe.

Malingaka were first on stage on the night and went straight to business of the day Kwende. Boasting a line-up rife with individual talent, the band went on with more jazz fusing rock and jazz with traditional elements, sending some people on the dance floor with Mtima and Nchunga.

Saxophone maestro Dan Sibale was in a class of his own, doing his magic with the instrument that over the years has earned him a living.

With Lemekeza Phiri on the piano, Samuel Mkandawire on drums, Ernest Ikwanga on lead guitar and Lawrence Lulu Khwisa on bass, the band concluded the night with

After speeches from two students of Malawi Music Project, it was time for the patrons to sample what US and Malawian artist can together offer jazz lovers.

The Cross Cultural Band brought a different feel of the night, fusing international hits with local beats with a rendition of Laama and Anasiketi, first on the menu.

Gidess Chalamanda’sLine was next and was fused with the Nine Pound Hammer followed by Tigo.

The surprise of the night was when the band for the first time wholly performed a Chichewa song, Chitukutuku which sent US ambassador, Janine Jackson on the dance floor. She was joined by a handful of people jiving to the beat till the end.

Ndimakonda ma Gitalawas another toast of the night before concluding with Mbuzi.

Ambassador Jackson could not help it but join the band on stage playing tambourine.

A musician herself, she played to the last second of the song, getting a standing ovation from the patrons.