It’s Joe Thomas, Brian MacKnight for Stanbic Music Festival

THE Stanbic Music Festival enters its fifth year this October with a presentation of two acclaimed American R&B musicians, Joseph Lewis Thomas also known as Joe and Brian McKnight live in Zambia. The two American talents that became very famous in Zambia in the 90s will be headlining the annual festival that has shown tremendous growth since inception. This year’s festival will be held on October 5 and 6 in Lusaka at the Polo Grounds. Interesting about this year’s event is that the two musicians will be supported by a chain of hardworking local female artistes. These include the soulful Wezi, who will make her third appearance at the festival. Others are Kiki, Salma Sky and the eclectic gospel act Esther Chungu. The choice of an all-female back up is also meant to honour and celebrate the life of late Minister of Gender, Victoria Kalima. The ticket sales and build up activities to the event have already commenced and sponsors Stanbic are more than willing to work with various partners to deliver a wellcoordinated festival. Joe and Brian have a huge following in Zambia stemming from their rich music profiles. Born on July 5 1973, Joe is known for great music works of albums such as Everything produced in 1993, ‘All that I am-‘[1997], ‘Better Days’2001, ‘My Name is Joe’-2000 and ‘Joe Thomas New Man’-2008, ‘The Good, The Bad, The Sexy’-2011 and the most recent album ‘My Name is Joe Thomas’-2016. Equally Brian MacKnight enjoys success and following from albums such as ‘I Remember You,-[1995]’ ‘Back at One [1999],’ ‘Ten’ [2006], ‘Just Me [2011]’ and ‘Better [2016’ among many.