Capathia Jenkins and Louis Rosen in concert, Harare Gardens, 1 May 2008. Capathia and Louis (both from the USA) bowled the crowd over with their jazz interpretations of the poety of Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. Check out their latest album – One Ounce of Truth – The Nikki Giovanni Songs.
Dobet Gnahore from Cote D’Ivoire gave a memorable performance that you could term “triple play” – a mixture of dance, theatre and music. Her message on HIV/AIDS was unambiguous.
The Coca-Cola Green at HIFA is the space for free concerts,
soul food and just chilling. Transit Crew, one of Zimbabwe’s foremost reggae bands had a jam there on 1 May 2008. Mikey, the Transit lead singer, has never been to Jamaica but speaks deep patois. Reggae remains big in Zimbabwe.
Legendary Zimbabwean guitarist Louis Mhlanga joined in the Transit gig and mesmerised the fans strumming the strings. Louis is based in South Africa.
Max Wild (Max Wild Band), born in Zimbabwe and now living
in the USA, jammed with Sam Mtukudzi (Oliver’s son) and left the audience wanting more. Harare Gardens, 2 May 2008.
Freshly Ground, the South African jazz-pop fusion band, was the highlight of HIFA 2008. The concert was sold out. In solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe they sang Bob Marley’s “Zimbabwe” and it was a very emotional moment for the crowd. The liberator had turned enemy. Harare Gradens, 3 May 2008.
Chiwoniso Maraire, mbira-playerand singer extraordinaire, headlined the opening of HIFA on 29
April 2008.
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