Ugandan jazz icon Isaiah Katumwa has earned two nominations at the 10th Mzantsi Jazz Awards, one of Africa's leading platforms celebrating excellence in jazz, further cementing his status as one of the continent's most accomplished musicians.
The internationally acclaimed saxophonist has been nominated in the Best International Jazz Album/Artist category for his latest album, New Days. Winners will be announced on August 15, 2026, during the awards ceremony at the Drama Theatre of the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
The recognition marks another milestone in Katumwa's three-decade career, during which he has helped elevate Ugandan jazz onto the international stage through a distinctive blend of contemporary smooth jazz and African musical influences.
Released in March 2026, New Days has emerged as one of Africa's notable jazz releases of the year.
The album explores themes of hope, renewal and fresh beginnings through expressive saxophone melodies, rich harmonies and contemporary jazz arrangements infused with African rhythms.
Describing the project, Katumwa said New Days is "more than a song—it is a declaration of hope and a new chapter."
The album's success extends beyond the African continent. Earlier this year, New Days entered the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay Chart, making Katumwa one of the few African instrumentalists to receive recognition on one of the world's most competitive smooth jazz radio charts.
The achievement was widely viewed as a significant moment for both the Ugandan musician and African jazz, a genre that has traditionally had limited visibility within the global smooth jazz industry.
Katumwa faces stiff competition in the Best International Jazz Album/Artist category.
His fellow nominees include British jazz violinist Daniel John Martin, South African vocalist Tutu Puoane, and British-Nigerian soul-jazz singer-songwriter Ola Onabulé, highlighting the international calibre of this year's competition.
In addition to the international recognition, New Days has also been nominated in the newly introduced Best African Jazz Album/Artist category, created to mark the awards' 10th anniversary.
Katumwa will compete alongside some of Africa's leading jazz musicians, including Berima Amo (Fake Flowers), Sibusiso Lerole (Tribute to Jack Lerole), Apiwe Bubu (Reflections of a Sound Mind), Bonginkosi Innocent Yeko (Xigaza Jazz Vol. 1), Kabelo El Chen Mogale (El Chen – The Unfinished Story), Christine Kamau (Wednesday Afternoon), Siyangoba Mthethwa (Inevitable – Jazz Edition), Fanie Sandile Dick (Away from Sorrows), Dotun Bankole (OLÜGBALA), and Ola Onabulé (It's Never Over).
Winners in both categories will be determined through public voting.
Supporters can vote for Katumwa in the Best International Jazz Album/Artist category by sending ZaJazz BF2 via SMS to (+27) 40439. For the Best African Jazz Album/Artist category, voters can send ZaJazz BA8 to the same number.
Organisers say nominees are selected through a rigorous evaluation process that considers artistic creativity, technical excellence, contribution to the growth of jazz, audience impact and longevity in the industry before the public vote determines the winners.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Mzantsi Jazz Awards has grown into one of Africa's most respected honours for jazz musicians. This year's edition introduces an expanded programme, the inaugural Africa-wide jazz category and a new venue at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
For Katumwa, the double nomination is another affirmation of his influence on African jazz and his continued role as one of Uganda's foremost cultural ambassadors.
