The Annual Nile Gold Jazz Safari returns this year with award winning Soul & Jazz singer, Regina Belle and Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist, Marion Meadows who will headline alongside Jazz legend Gerald Albright.
A press briefing held today at Kampala Serena Hotel, by Nile Gold Crystal Malt Lager in partnership with Rwenzori Premium, Kampala Serena Hotel and British Airways revealed that the concert will take place at Kampala Serena Hotel on October 5. The concert in its Fifth edition (since 2008), will also raise funds for the construction of a Cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital.
Regina Belle who has eight albums to her name is famous for her Grammy Award winning duet with Peabo Bryson "A whole New World', that also featured as a soundtrack to Disney's animation classic Aladdin. She's been nominated several times for music awards, and has several hits on the Billboard Soul and R&B charts.
With Nine Albums, Marion Meadows stands out for his great skill with the saxophone and collaborations with renowned artistes like Brook Brenton, Michael Bolton, the Temptations, Will Downing and Angela Bofil among others.
Jazz legend Gerald Albright returns for a third time as headliner having made his debut at the Nile Gold Jazz Safari 2010. The incomparable showman has just released a new album 24/7, a colloboration with Contemporary Jazz Guitar legend Norman Brown.
The headliners will be joined by Selina Albright (vocals), Tony Momrelle, (vocals), Victoria Theodore (keyboards/ Vocals), Daniel Moore(Keysboards/Vocals), Ricardo Jordan (Drums) Morris ‘Mo Pleasure' (Keyboards/Music Director), Rick Watford (Lead/Rhythm Guitar), Rico Del Monte (Percussions) and TZulu Bass (Bass).
Jazz Safari Founder TShaka Mayanja said that this year's lineup has been carefully selected to bring a broader and truly unique experience for Jazz fans in Uganda and across East Africa.
"Five years down the road and we have seen the growth of Jazz that has now inspired the growth of more live Jazz bands, individual talent and a growing Jazz & Soul fan base in the country. Through the concert, we intend to raise more awareness and funds to address the condition through our partnerships," he added.
"This year, we shall pay a Jazz tribute to the music of the world's greatest music family, The Jacksons + the music of Michael Jackson. We shall also pay tribute to the legendary diva, Whitney Houston. Gerald Albright toured a lot with Withney Houston where as Mo Pleasure was part of Michael Jackson's'This Is It' band, and also has a Jazz tribute album of Michael Jackson's music to be released this year", TShaka concluded.
"We have mastered our skill in managing concerts of this magnitude and have in the process successfully responded to the specific needs of our consumers through a world class event in Uganda. We are taking this year's concert a notch higher as reflected in the headliners and artists who will bring a truly unique celebration of Jazz for a good cause," Nile Gold Brand Manager Samuel Hooper said.
British Airways Commercial Manager, Faith Chaitezvi said, "We are proud to be the official airline of the Nile Gold Jazz Safari, and excited part of the world class entertainment that we are flying in for the show. The organisers have also chosen to support a cause that is close to our heart. Cancer is a deadly condition that affects many Ugandans yet treatment is expensive. However our partnership with the event will significantly contribute towards cancer diagnosis and treatment in Uganda,"
A substantial percentage of proceeds from the concert will be donated to Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme for a construction project for a cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital to address the growing threat of cancer in Uganda. The ward will enable specialized free diagnosis and treatment of cancer especially for women.
"Screening programs have successfully reduced cancer mortality rates which is especially as a result of early detection Therefore any intervention to increase access to medical care and ward facilities that help alleviate the cost of such expensive testing will significantly contribute to the reduction of cancer prevalence in Uganda. The support from the Nile Gold Jazz Safari will help us to address this major gap in cancer treatment and awareness in Uganda," said Fred Masadde from the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme.