One would think that after that massive show he had with Kirk Whalum just two months ago at the same venue, anything else with Isaiah Katumwa in it would be an overdose of a good thing; nope!
Ugandans love whom they love, and will show up every single time, until they start loving another. And on Sunday, they were at Serena Kampala hotel again, for more of Katumwa as this time, he marked 30 years in the jazz business.
Tickets to the concert ranged from Shs 250,000 for general admission to Shs 5 million for VIP tables, yet the concert sold out well ahead of time, making a statement about the class of artiste on stage.
The event drew a full house, with the Serena ballroom transformed into a haven of musical elegance and nostalgia. From smooth jazz, ballads to high-energy jazz fusion, the night served as both a tribute to Katumwa’s musical journey and a celebration of Uganda’s growing jazz culture.
Donning an all-white kaftan outfit, Katumwa took to the stage much earlier than his fans expected, to a thunderous welcome. The revered saxophonist opened his set with his iconic song My Joy, setting the tone for an evening filled with masterful instrumentation and emotional resonance.
“This is not just a concert, it’s a celebration of purpose and perseverance,” Katumwa told the audience between sets. The event featured an impressive lineup of artistes who have collaborated with or been mentored by Katumwa over the years.
Vocalist Naava Grey, guitar maestro Myko Ouma, saxophonists Michael Kitanda and Joseph Sax, Happy Kyazze, and gospel sensation Mark Langa all took turns on stage, each adding a unique flavour to the night’s performance.
Myko Ouma and Happy Kyazze created a sensational moment on stage with Katumwa. Performing Mama Africa, the trio thrilled the crowd with how they playfully fused one another’s instruments.
With Ouma on the tube fiddle, Kyazze on the sax, and Katumwa on his soprano sax, the performance was nothing short of stellar. Another moment that brought chills down people’s spines was when Naava Grey took to the stage to perform with Katumwa.
She set in with Soka Lami, this time, performing it with the sound of a saxophone, something that left the crowd mesmerized. To spice up the song even more, guitarist Charmant Mushaga joined the duo with his electric guitar.
Earlier in the evening, rising saxophonist Robert Aduba opened the show with a soul-stirring solo that immediately captured the attention of guests. His performance was a fitting introduction to an evening dedicated to musical mastery.
One of the key highlights of the night was when Moses Matovu joined Katumwa on stage to perform one of Afrigo band’s most popular songs – Olimujjawa. The magic between the two masters of the game was a moment worth savouring.
UGANDA’S EMERGING JAZZ SCENE
And because of the foundation laid by the likes of Moses Matovu and Isaiah Katumwa, a sonic revolution is unfolding—one carried not by flashy mainstream pop, but by the smooth, intricate melodies of jazz. Once considered a Western genre confined to smoky bars in the United States, jazz has since found a vibrant new pulse in Africa.
And in Uganda, the genre is steadily becoming a defining rhythm for a generation of artistes and music lovers seeking deeper musical expression. Jazz, with its roots in African musical traditions fused through the historical struggles of African-Americans, has come full circle.
African jazz today is not simply a mimicry of Western styles—it is a deeply local expression and Isaiah Katumwa is taking a lead in that. While not historically a stronghold of jazz, Uganda’s scene has blossomed in recent years, thanks to an emerging class of passionate musicians, experimental fusions, and a growing audience hungry for authentic sound.
Over the last decade or so, however, instrumentalists have steadily moved from just being part of a band, shining all the light on the singer, to headline music performances. That is why a Katumwa experience may now not be complete without a Charmant Mushaga segment where he goes nice-wild on his guitar.
And thanks to Katumwa’s global success in the jazz genre, younger artistes such as Joseph Sax, Micheal Kitanda, Happy Kyazze and Brian Mugenyi, among others, have fallen in love with the saxophone and are doing good music.
Although veteran musicians like Moses Matovu (Afrigo band) and Saidi Kasule (formerly with Afrigo band) mastered the use of the saxophone much earlier than Katumwa, it is safe to say that Katumwa made the instrument more famous to many Ugandans, including those with the least knowledge in music, with his regular Jazz with Isaiah Katumwa concert.
Jazz in Uganda, today, thrives in intimate spaces—weekly gigs at venues like The Terrace at Skyz hotel, Mestil hotel, and cultural centers where live bands perform hybrids of jazz, Afrobeat, soul and traditional music.
It is here and other least-known places that young artistes like Sandra K, Joseph Sax and Aka Dope’s house band are honing their craft and cultivating an urban audience that sees jazz as both classy and contemporary.
KATUMWA MAKES HIS MARK
That Sunday night, Katumwa concert was delivered in a breath-taking performance, and jazz lovers would probably go for an encore next week. Many guests arrived in black-tie attire, adding a touch of glamour to the occasion.
Throughout the evening, Katumwa performed several crowd favourites from his extensive discography, including This is Me, Nsiima, and Echoes of Joy, interspersed with new compositions.
His seamless transitions and engaging stage presence reminded many why he remains a leading figure in East African jazz. The concert concluded with a standing ovation as all performers joined Katumwa for a powerful ensemble rendition that blended jazz, gospel and African rhythm.
As guests made their way out of the Serena ballroom, the buzz in the air was unmistakable. The night had not only honoured Isaiah Katumwa’s legacy—it had also reaffirmed the vitality and potential of jazz in Uganda.
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