Prince Mushawevato —
The voice of reason that prevailed soon after the so-called Jazz Storm a few months ago has brought delight to artistes and patrons alike. It is close to four months since Time and Jazz Cafe and Jazz 24/7 (formerly Jazz 105) opened for business, and the proprietors of the two joints that target an almost similar clientele have found ways to co-exist.
The arrival of the two clubs to the entertainment scene attracted a war of words between proprietors. Accusations of betrayal, conspiracy and brand/concept theft became the order of the day. However, the decision by Time and Jazz owner Josphat “Big Josh” Hozheri to let bygones-be-bygones helped create a relaxing wave in an industry that yearns for expansion.
The two clubs have broadened outing options both during the week and at weekends, and artisites have more places to strut their stuff. Both clubs are situated in Harare’s central business district and have an assortment of daily programmes. But of the two, it is Time and Jazz Café at Cresta Oasis that appears to have stuck to the jazz theme.
Time and Jazz Cafe
The club has thus far played host mostly to artistes that play jazz music or at least have a bias towards that genre. South Africa-based Zimbabwean jazz connoisseur Max Vidima endorsed Hozheri’s place with a two-day concert soon after the joint officially opened.
And Hozheri is upbeat, pointing out he will not slide back to his Jazz 105 ways of doing business, where non-jazz music started being played more than the genre that the club was ostensibly opened for. Hozheri used to run Jazz 105.
“We are now past three months of full trading and I’m happy with what we have achieved. The fact that a top jazz artiste in the form of Max Vidima has visited and endorsed our venue means a lot with regards to promoting this joint. And unlike in the past, we now have a real bias towards Jazz vibes and that is not going to change,” said Hozheri.
“So far I have no qualms with our good and mature patronage; rather I’m happy that most of our Jazz 105 patrons now have knowledge of our new base despite an earlier confusion that had been created. There are supporting their old man big time.”
Artistes and groups like Tanga Wekwa Sando, Sam Dondo, Mbeu and the Mhodzi Tribe, Jazz Invitation and Filbert Marowa are among the acts that have performed at the joint.
But it is Pamela “Gonyeti” Zulu’s Wednesday slot that has proved quite popular with patrons. Her show is held on the same day as that of Andy Muridzo at Jazz 24/7, which is also popular with fans of that club.
“So much support is coming from both jazz and non-Jazz artistes. They are visiting this place daily but high turnouts are usually on Wednesday’s where both fans and fellow artistes are coming to support Gonyeti,” said Hozheri.
The affable and veteran promoter hinted that there was room for experiments.
“Growth in this industry is guaranteed only by ingenuity. Accordingly we are on November 24 going to have Suluman ‘Sulu’ Chimbetu jazzing his dendera act here. This is a direct response to calls from our patrons. They are challenging the dendera crooner to do jazz rhythms on his music and we hope the experiment works,” said Hozheri.
Music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi is also expected to grace the venue on December 8, while the high-riding Jah Prayzah will also have a dance at the joint later that same month. Hozheri also announced the re-branding of the Winter Jazz Festival to the Time and Jazz Festival.
“Time and Jazz Festival is coming in to replace the Winter Jazz Festival and it will be held annually. We are still talking to the landlord though to use the car park (at the hotel) as the venue. The challenge is our place is too small for some of the programmes we wish to run. Some sponsors have already bought into the concept.
“Apart from this, I’m sure our patrons can testify that we have a fully stocked bar, well cooked food (that includes gango) and good braai meat,” he said, adding, “We are in this game out of passion and experience and besides I’m one of the few qualified people to be managing such operations being a hotel school graduate myself.”
Jazz 24/7
Apart from their packed weekly programmes that cater for different genres, proprietors of the joint have been busy with renovations meant to improve the allure of the club. The renovations are also a sign that they are in the business to stay.
In a fortnight, the joint will be officially opening a kitchen that has been under construction for the past month or so. Furthermore, they are putting final touches to a new VIP wing.
Manager Yassin Dhala opines when done, the place will become one of the most sought-after in the capital.
“We are trying our best to make sure that this place regains the full glitter it used to have. All these renovations are being made so that we have a one-stop-shop that caters for everyone,” said Dhala.
“In two weeks a new kitchen will be opened. The kitchen will serve both traditional and western dishes. Also, a VIP section that will be accessible only to members who pay monthly subscriptions of between US$100 and US$150 will also start to operate at a later date.”
Jazz 24/7 had for long been closed over rental disputes between previous owner, Hozheri, and the building leasers. The rentals were said to be too high, rendering business unviable.
Dhala said matters had been ironed out.
“We have since talked to our landlord and come to an agreement with regards to rentals and issues of water bills. So basically we can say everything is under control and business is flowing smoothly though just like everyone else we are being affected by cash shortages but we have swipe machines as cover,” said the Jazz 24/7 manager.
Jazz 24/7 proprietors have, however, not bothered having jazz music as their staple. The joint’s weekly programme caters for just about every genre local artistes can play.
Sunday is the only day that focuses on jazz music. On Tuesdays they have live Chimurenga music, done mostly by Jairos Chabvonga; the following day they have Andy Muridzo’s permanent slot, one that used to be Jah Prayzah’s during his early days at the then Jazz 105.
Thursdays are reserved for functions such as anniversary parties and album launches. And this week they launch Tawanda Dhibura’s album “Unite Africa”. Leonard Zhakata, Alick Macheso, Sulu and Bob Nyabinde are among some of the top artistes that will grace the event.
Friday hosts any artiste while Saturdays have been reserved mainly for urban grooves.
“We do not have a bias towards a particular genre. Our focus is to promote every artiste and I’m happy to say the strategy is working for us. We are able to cater for different tastes,” said Dhala.
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