Zimbabwe Jazz Festival 2025 Set to Light Up Bulawayo and Harare

The Zimbabwe Jazz Festival 2025 is shaping up to be one of the country’s most anticipated music events, bringing together home-grown legends and internationally acclaimed jazz masters. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Bulawayo and Harare, the festival marks its eighth edition in the capital and fourth in the City of Kings, continuing its mission of celebrating Zimbabwe’s jazz heritage while embracing global creativity.

The festival kicks off in Bulawayo at Alliance Française with a strong line-up of performers. Afro-jazz star Dudu Manhenga and internationally recognised saxophonist Vee Mukarati, who has been making strides in Europe, will both take the stage. They will be joined by The Frank Salis Experience, a dynamic cross-continental project led by Swiss composer Frank Salis, promising a mix of global influences. The Tich Makalisa Band, which blends Zimbabwean and South African talent, will close the evening with township jazz.

On Saturday 13 September, Harare will host an eight-hour jazz marathon at Alliance Française starting at 2 pm. The programme features Vee Mukarati, The Frank Salis Experience, and bass virtuoso Josh Meck. Other performers include genre-bending vocalist Rute Mbangwa, Afro-fusion pioneer Charles “Mahlaba” Banda of Sunduza, township jazz custodians Mbare Jazz, and emerging talent NokuTenda with The Legacy Band.

A major highlight this year is The Frank Salis Experience – The Zambezi Sessions. This cultural exchange project brings together musicians from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. The ensemble will embark on a two-week Southern African tour with performances in Lusaka and Victoria Falls before headlining the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival in both Bulawayo and Harare.

ZJCT artistic director Filbert Marova emphasized the festival’s dual mission. “The 2025 Zimbabwe Jazz Festival is a vibrant celebration of music’s power to connect us. This year’s programme blends deep-rooted jazz traditions with forward-thinking creativity, honouring the past while shaping the future.”

Alliance Française Harare director Fanny Gauthier noted the broader cultural impact. “This festival builds bridges between cultures through jazz, a universal language of dialogue and creativity. We are proud to support cross-border collaborations such as The Zambezi Sessions.”

In Bulawayo, Alliance Française director Guillaume Ripaud said the city’s chapter continues to grow. “This fourth edition proves the festival is gaining international recognition. Alliance Française de Bulawayo aims to be a hub for artists from the City of Kings and beyond, and this event underscores that mission.”

The Zimbabwe Jazz Community Trust (ZJCT), founded in 2016, organizes the festival with a vision to preserve and promote local jazz culture. Last year’s edition, themed Sizzling Rhythms, featured UK-based Zimbabwean musician Paul Lunga and Swiss vocalist NNAVY. The 2025 festival builds on that foundation, positioning Zimbabwe as a growing hub for jazz innovation and cultural exchange.

The Zimbabwe Jazz Festival 2025 promises a weekend of world-class performances and cultural connections, solidifying its place as one of the country’s premier music events.