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For the last five years we’ve brought you the very best of local and international jazz music, delivering electric performances and getting you moving to everything from the legendary Hugh Masekela’s signature sounds to the funky beat of the Nairobi Horns Project.

This year you can expect nothing less. Come join us on Tuesday 1st May 2018 at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi, as we celebrate the Safaricom International Jazz Day with yet another line-up of brilliant performers.

Headlining the show will be the highly acclaimed jazz maestro from Cameroon, Manu Dibango & Soul Makossa gang, you’ll be sure to enjoy hits like Grammy-winning track “Soul Makossa”, Africadelic, Wakafrika and many more.

Come enjoy the very best of Kenyan jazz with household names slated to perform such as Jacob Asiyo, Kavutha Mwanzia, Edward Parseen, Afro Sync Band, James Gogo, Nairobi Horns Project, Shamsi Music, Eddie Grey and Chris Bittok.

All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting Ghetto Classics, a non-profit programme that teaches music skills to youth from underprivileged backgrounds in Nairobi and Mombasa. Since launch the Safaricom International Jazz Festival has raised over KES 37 million from proceeds of the event, funds that are being used to transform the lives of over 1400 young boy and girls through music, education and much more.

Main act

Manu Dibango

A global icon of African music, Manu Dibango has released well over forty albums, several soundtracks, plus of course the Grammy-winning track “Soul Makossa” which first topped international charts in 1973, and went on to be borrowed, quoted and covered by everybody from Michael Jackson, through to...

supporting acts

Kavutha Mwanzia

Kavutha Mwanzia-Asiyo , one of Kenya’s leading jazz vocalists has been singing since childhood. This talent eventually led to her study of voice, at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA USA. A seasoned performer, Kavutha has been the featured jazz vocalist at various jazz themed e...

supporting acts

Gogo Simo

James Gogo and the Gogo Simo band have a unique blend that makes them one of a kind. Their music spans from coastal music, African tempos to western instrumentation. They can get any crowd on their feet, dancing to the rich sounds of African tempos.

supporting acts

Edward Parseen

Edward Parseen & the Different Faces Band will once again grace the Safaricom Jazz Festival stage this year! Edward Parseen is a Music Performance Graduate from Kenyatta University, and plays the tenor saxophone, trumpet and vocals. He has graced various international jazz festivals such as The Roy...

supporting acts

The AfroSync Band

The AfroSync Band was formed in 2014 and its members are Zach Amunga, Tim Riungu, Uledi Dzidze, George Mutinda and MacKinley Mutsembi. Their style of music is a mixture of Afro Jazz and Latin. They have had the opportunity of performing at various events such as the US Independence Day (2015), Ge...

supporting acts

Shamsi Music

Shamsi Music is a recording and performing afro-jazz fusion band from Kenya that was formed in 2014 by pianist, composer and musical director Paul Mbithi who leads the ensemble and is assisted by Samwel ‘Laka’ Waithaka, a veteran saxophonist. The other members of the band are Michael Munene, Immanu...

supporting acts

Chris Bittok

Chris Bittok is a name that has been synonymous with the fast-growing jazz and general live entertainment following in Kenya. With live music being his forte and the Saxophone his principal instrument, he further felt the need to “up” the game in terms of the local concert experience and this led t...

supporting acts

Jacob Asiyo

Jacob is a multi-faceted musician, a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and arranger in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He has been at the fore-front of exposing the Kenyan market to the tradition of jazz with his vast repertoire of Jazz Standards. Comfortable as a soloist, his com...

supporting acts

Mwai & the truth

Mwai is an accomplished pianist leaning heavily towards the Jazz Genre of music. He also runs his own music and entertainment outfit, and is well heeled in the intricacies of both the business and the art form of a performing artist. Easily ubiquitous with Nairobi's live entertainment scene, Mwai i...

event details

Date: Tuesday 1st May 2018.

Venue: Carnivore Grounds

Entry Charges: Ksh. 2,000 for adults and Ksh. 500 for students (proof of ID must be provided)

Tickets: Available at select Safaricom shops, Michael Joseph

Centre and via m-Ticketing by dialing 1511.

Gates open at 11AM show starts at 12PM

past events