Night of Jazz
Seasoned music collector, curator and presenter, McJohn Mosenene will on Saturday spin discs, playing his smooth jazz and soulful ballads as the curtain for the much envied and ever entertaining GIMC 2022 annual season pulls up.
Just like all the artists who will feature on that day, Mosenene does not need any introduction as he has rich background as in addition to his love for good music, McJohn is also a men’s fashion commentator and a private chef who graduated from one of Africa’s premier hotel schools, Kenya Utalii College, in Nairobi, Kenya. His love for music and becoming a DJ was largely influenced by the legendary disco DJ of the 70’ s and 80’ s, DJ Morse Ramatu, who used to run an underground discotheque at President Hotel and a music section of the then popular electronics store, Freshaire, in Gaborone’s main mall.
Mosenene used to hang a lot at both Freshaire and Sports and Music Centre which was owned by the late Ismail Bhamjee, whenever he yearned to discover new music.
He was to later take his love for urban adult contemporary music to radio through the assistance of his long time friend and jazz guru, Uncle Shima Monageng of the famed Gabz FM Joy of Jazz programme. He also co- hosted a lifestyle programme on Gabz FM called “The Velvet Couch” alongside radio bird, Lucia Molebatsi. The rest is history as the man prefers to do his talking through spinning the disk of the tempting tunes for those who can let loose their feet.
The much awaited event which has the master clown, Losika Luzboy Seboni as its MC as well as an
impressive line up of international artists who are in high demand and have never failed to impress their followers.
Worth noting is the fact that most of the artists are women; some are of the same age in their early 30’ s and though born in different countries such as Botswana and Zimbabwe, they are currently based in South Africa where there is a larger market.
It will be interesting to see the Botswana born, Mpho Sebina, whose profile shows that she made a name for herself and known to infuse hip- hop, soul, jazz, traditional Setswana music and folklore into her music.
She started doing music covers and writing music while obtaining her honours degree in international business in Malaysia, where she was studying.
She has dropped many songs amongst them, Toro as well Tjuele featuring A. T. I., first EP titled, Neo in 2017 and her debut album Lora in November 2020.
Depending on who comes first, there is her age mate, Gugulethu Khumalo, also known a BERITA - a Zimbabwean born, who too migrated to South Africa. She is a multi- award winning singersongwriter, guitarist and music producer, who does a blend of soul and Afro- jazz, with pop influences and South African dance music touch.
Equally worth mentioning and expected to perform is Fifi Afrika, whose real name is Kefilwe Princess Radovic, also rated and described to be amongst the country’s most prized singers.
Other melodious voices in the night will be the likes of Samantha Mogwe, Dato Seiko, Bakang Lenyaola and the ever green Judith Sephuma as well as Tomeletso Sereetsi, who never disappoints.