Jonathan Butler and HHP to headline Jazz Festival
Windhoek Mayor His Worship Muesee Kazapua (centre), acting CEO of the City of Windhoek Mr E Kawesha, Manager: Corporate Communications, Marketing, Tourism and Customer Care Joshua Amukugo, Lize Ehlers as well as members of the Fu Jazz Alllstars at the launch if the Windhoek Jazz Festival 2015. (Photograph by Amerie Bennett).
Motswako Hip-hop rapper HHP, Hiphop Pantsula.
Guitarist Jonathan Butler.
Butler and HHP will share the stage with local artists by the likes of Fu Jazz, Lize Ehlers, Sean K, Dixon, and Zen-Zo.
Butler is well known for his laid back slightly jazz-tinged approach to R&B/pop. He has built a solid reputation as a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer, giving him a great following since the late 70’s. Born in Cape Town, South Africa in October 1961, he was still only a child when he started singing and playing the acoustic guitar.
Being the youngest of twelve children, Butler absorbed a variety of music influences when he was a child. He looked up to great performers like Mirriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder and George Benson who became a major influence for the jazz crooner who is praised for both his guitar playing and singing.
Hip-Hop Pantsula or HHP is popularly known for his ingenious musical rhymes in his mother tongue Setswana. He has been hailed as the ‘King of Motswako’, as he has proven that rap does not need to be only in English. Through his work and his popularity, has influenced many other South African rappers to rap in their mother tongues. He is famously known for his hit songs ‘Bosso ke mang’, ‘Jabba’, ‘Tswaka’, and ‘Harambe’. HHP’s hard work and dedication to his art has given him recognition across the globe where he was recognised amongst other artists for the Evolution award for African over-achievers as well as winning the Male Artist of the Year award at the South African Music Awards 2013.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s jazz festival, Windhoek Mayor His Worship Muesee Kazapua said the hosting of the Windhoek Jazz Festival continues to contribute significantly to elevate Windhoek’s status as a vibrant and artistic city.
Organized by the City of Windhoek with the support of its sponsors, Ad Force, Windhoek Lager, Air Namibia, 99 FM, Jameson, and Avani Hotel and Casino, the festival is set to attract an even bigger crowd than in previous years.
This year’s festival will take place on 24 October at the Hage Geingob Stadium. Gates will open at 16:00. Tickets to the festival will only be available at Computicket outlets countrywide for N$250 per person. Ticket sales will only be done in advance, no tickets will be sold at the gate.
