By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
It was a night of sound, style, fashion, and soulful music as Ugandan jazz legend Isaiah Katumwa shared the stage with American saxophonist Kirk Whalum at the dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival, held Saturday night at the Serena Hotel Kampala.
With a saxophone in hand, Katumwa made a grand entrance to thunderous cheers from the audience.
“It’s good to be home,” he said in a heartfelt remark. “I feel loved, I feel appreciated, I feel honored. Thank you for the warm welcome.”
Whalum kept the energy high with a lineup of his most beloved hits, including a powerful rendition of “Do You Feel?” that had the entire hall singing along. Clearly touched by the crowd’s response, he expressed his gratitude for the warmth and support of the Ugandan audience.
The audience, visibly moved, echoed the lyrics and swayed to the rhythms—demonstrating that music truly is a universal language. Many leapt to their feet, phones in hand, capturing selfies and videos to commemorate the unforgettable experience.
Speaking earlier on Friday, Helena Mayanja, dfcu Banks Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, announced that the Jazz in the Pearl Festival is set to become an annual event.
“This is not a one-off celebration, she noted. dfcu Jazz in the Pearl will return every year as an annual tradition honouring creativity, musical mastery, and African cultural expression,” Helena said.
Ugandan guitarist and reggae music star, Tshaka Mayanja and the Black Roots Academy of Soul, joined the line up, adding their own groove to an already electric bill.
