the Exclusive By. The Lord Kempson Ari weYulu
@ZambiazHarshTag
● @KempsonAri
W
|
ith rehearsals and the pressure of
a massive show, it is seldom you get a chance to jam, play percussion, hear
unreleased material and also interview two buzzing acts on a Saturday afternoon
and go into the evening. I was at the right place at the right time and had a
candid dialogue with Scarlet (@Scarlet_MwanaOK)
and James Sakala (@JaySaThomas), who
where both opening acts at the inaugural Jazz
Fest and will now both be headlining the second edition of the Stanbic Jazz Festival (@JazzFestStanbic).
I seized the opportunity because I knew the next time I would see them would be
backstage getting on stage to shut it down!
Scarlet “Mwana O Kondwela” oozes enough soulfulness to make the blues weep,
an effortless performer with that rich
Baduesque texture in her lyric and delivery. Before she gave an impromptu acoustic
performance and belted out original classics such as Peace and cult classics Igo
Igo backed by James at the Alliance
Français Fun Day Open Day, I had
to find out on behalf of the fans (which I am too) what jazz Scarlet will bring
to the Jazz Fest platform. “This time
round is different and I’m less nervous”, affirmed the So Good Entertainment (@sogoodonline) artist Scarlet, “but also because I get a
full hour to perform my set”. She elaborated that an hour will give her more time, a chance to play around with her playlist and deliver more diversity and depth. The
audience can expect original material both old and new as well as some bits
from the new album. Hence team Scarlet followers can anticipate a top notch live show with that original
Scarlet African flavor. She will be backed by the Elect Band and will bring hype because as she said, “you have to believe in your own hype and
deliver on it!”
The talented guitarist,
songwriter, producer and vocalist that is James
Sakala is also billedto do his thing in the traditional folk manner and
various styles he always delivers. After he was done entertaining the daytime
crowd we vibed before his intimate grown folk performance for the Jazz Appreciation Society. “I cannot
promise America or Europe to the crowd, but I can promise I will bring Zambia in full effect because I know
Zambia,” where James’ opening remarks for the people. On that patriotic note,
he unashamedly professed that his set will be rooted in our heritage and was
excited to be given the platform to remind people where we are coming from. Thus
the people can expect a Prof. Peter “PK”
Kalumba Chishala like vernacular spectacular performance from the man with
few words but many lyrics, voices and virtuoso guitar skills. It will be an
event of epic proportions indeed as he carries on tradition.
Before becoming a headline act and
getting on the bill, there is the struggle of just getting on stage that only
the day one fans see. Young acts headlining however is a sign of growth both on
the artist’s part and the Zambian industry and music scene. Only those who
persevere will archive is the lesson we can learn from Scarlet and James
Sakala. From opening for Bra Hugh to
sharing the arena with multiplatinum acts Earl
Klugh (@earlklugh), African legend Tuku
and Mi Casa. All the best and will
be there to support quality local music, and we will see you at Jazz Fest on 2 & 3rd October 2015. Get in rhythm and those tickets now from designated Stanbic branches!
For
more with
Scarlet and James Sakala, tune in to
Surviving The Times: Talking The Struggle and Surviving The Zambian Music Scene
With James Sakala and Scarlet at https://kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/surviving-the-times-talking-the-struggle-and-surviving-the-zambian-music-scene-with-james-sakala-and-scarlet/
