With just a few days to go
before music fans are treated to a world class jazz and Afro-pop experience at
the Safaricom Jazz Lounge international music star Salif Keita has promised to
deliver an energy-packed performance.
Speaking during a media
briefing Mr. Keita, who arrived in the country on Monday ahead of his
performance at the Bomas of Kenya, said he was excited to be back in Kenya and
looked forward to delivering a memorable show.
“I love the energy of the
Kenyan music fans and their appreciation of broad genres of music, so I’m
excited about delivering a great show and speaking to each person who attends
the event through my music,” said Mr. Keita. “Music is a powerful medium and I
will be using its ability to communicate over social, cultural, geographical
and language barriers to give the fans an unforgettable experience.”
He is no stranger to Kenya,
having visited the country on various occasions both for music performances as
well as in his capacity as a global advocate for the rights of people living
with Albinism.
Mr. Keita is also affectionately
referred to as the “Golden Voice of Africa” and has over 40 years’ experience
in Afro–pop, Jazz and Fusion, having begun his career in his native Mali in the
late 1960’s.
This will be his first
performance at the Safaricom Jazz Lounge, a series of events that lead up to
the annual Safaricom International Jazz Festival.
“In 2013 we decided to take a
more active role in supporting the Kenyan arts scene, choosing music as a channel
through which we could celebrate culture while at the same time nurturing local
talent,” said Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. “Part of celebrating our local
talent is giving them the opportunity to perform alongside international
artistes, so we’re very honoured to be working with Salif Keita as well as
James Gogo and the Gogosimo Band this year.”
The Safaricom Jazz Lounge will
be held on Saturday 29th August 2015.
All proceeds from the event
will be donated to the Ghetto Classics music programme in Korogocho Slums, which
seeks to provide an opportunity for children from underprivileged backgrounds
to explore their musical talents and use them as a ticket out of the low income
neighborhoods.
“It is humbling to know that my
performance at this event will contribute towards transforming the lives of hundreds
of children and their families, having experienced myself the power of music to
change lives,” added Mr. Keita. “This is an event with a cause, and I’m proud
to be supporting such a worthy cause.”
Safaricom supports Ghetto
Classics with the aim of transforming the lives of these children and their
families, by helping them raise funds to sustain and broaden the music
programme.
No comments:
Post a Comment