Jazz Guitarist Jonathan Butler
When Jonathan Butler came to Kenya in 2010 for a Sierra Jazz Concert, he told Jeff Koinange that he would love to come back to Kenya and hopefully do a Coming Home Tour of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. Well, that this might just happen in a few weeks. It will however not be a tour but rather a session where he will be able to share a stage with various other Jazz Musicians from Uganda, Kenya as well as from his home country South Africa just to mention a few.
Jonathan Butler will be the main act in in this year’s Safaricom International Jazz Festival 2015 happening on Sunday 22nd February at the Ngong Race Course.
There are many things that make Butler so different and such a unique African Jazz Musician. Perhaps what stands out most for me is that he is a very talented left handed guitarist and has been writing and performing Gospel Jazz for over 20 years now. His story of early stardom, struggle with drugs and salvation is a pure inspiration.
Jonathan will be the first and main act for the Safaricom Jazz Festival this year with many other African Jazz Musicians expected to perform. Safaricom has previously brought other African Jazz Guitarists such as Richard Bona, Kunle Ayo and most recently, Jimmy Dludlu who performed in December 2014.
Other acts at the Safaricom Jazz Festival include Swahili Jazz Band, Isaiah Kutumwa (Uganda), Soweto Kinch (UK), Nicolas Kummet Voices (Belgium), Tomer Bar Trio (Israel), Ack Van Rooyen & Juraj Stanik (Netherlands). Special performance by Jimmy Dludlu.
Tickets for the Safaricom Jazz Festival are going for Ksh. 1000 for regular tickets and Ksh. 300 for student tickets. You can get your ticket at select Safaricom Shops, or via M-ticketing by dialing 1511. The Gates will open at 11 AM with the Show set to start at 1230 PM.
If, like me, you missed Jonathan’s concert in 2010 or you went for it and would love to hear some more, then get your ticket early.