Klugh dazzles jazz fans

Lilongwe got more than what it bargained for at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. US legendary jazz sensation, Earl Klugh, performed beyond his promise of nothing but the best as he took the over 2000 patrons at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) on Saturday night on his joy of jazz.

He proved why he is globally regarded as the jazz kingpin by invoking his talent, touching with it some that seemed not to appreciate jazz as a musical genre. They, in turn, clapped hands, waved arms, danced along as the jazz maestro and his band gave one memorable experience.

Using Nyanja Productions sound system, Klugh stepped on the stage at around 23:05. Strumming his Nylon String acoustic guitar as if his life solely depended on it, Klugh perfomred while standing for close to 35 minutes–something unusual of a 60-year- old man like him.

He performed good tunes including Midnight in San Juan, Living Inside Your Love, Doctor Macumba, Say a Little Prayer and the most sought song, Tropical Legs. These are some of his famous songs in Malawi, no wonder some danced throughout while others gave him a standing ovation at the end of each piece.

Apart from Klugh, David Lee Spradley on keyboard also stole the show with his dancing antics as he played the instruments.

Before the US star, Afrovibe artist Peter Mawanga, who fuses traditional African rhythms, composition and vocal arrangements with modern instrumentation, entertained fans with his one-hour performance.

From songs like Tumeni, Amakhala ku BT, a blast from 2001, two songs from Mau a Malawi, an album he did while in the US to Zanga Zozama LP, he took the fans on a journey of his past, present and future.

The show attracted dignitaries such as former vice president Justin Malewezi, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, among the many movers and shakers.

“I am not a jazz fan and my coming here was purely for the appreciation of music in general. But I was dancing to some of his music. It was the best international show that Earl Klugh lived to more than his promise,” said a fan Martin Banda. n