dfcu Bank has today announced the inaugural dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival, an event that will bring the biggest national and international jazz stars together for an unforgettable jazz experience that will fuse international and African music influences.
The concert will be held on May 10 2025, at Kampala Serena Hotel.
The dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival marks a powerful cultural collaboration, aimed at not only entertaining audiences but also promoting Uganda’s jazz music industry.
“Music has an extraordinary ability to transcend boundaries and connect people, and dfcu Bank is proud to bring you the dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival because of our deep belief in the power of connection. For six decades, we have been driven by a vision of building a community of progress, and this concert allows us to celebrate that journey with the Ugandan people,” said Helena Mayanja, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu bank.
The festival will feature the talents of both local and international jazz artists, including Uganda’s celebrated saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa who has not performed in Uganda since he relocated to the United States of America.
Officials described his performance as his homecoming.
Katumwa will be joined by world-renowned saxophonist, Kirk Whalum, whose Grammy-winning artistry has captivated audiences globally, as well as Tshaka Mayanja and the Black Roots Academy of Soul, one of the most talented jazz musicians currently in Ugandan.
“The dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival is not just a celebration of music but it is a tribute to the jazz culture that dfcu Bank is committed to promoting and preserving. As part of its long-term goals, dfcu Jazz in the Pearl envisions an East African jazz festival that will become a must-attend event, celebrating jazz’s historical roots, cultural resonance, and growing popularity,” dfcu’s Helena Mayanja said.
“ The festival will also provide local Ugandan jazz musicians the opportunity to perform alongside international stars, fostering artistic exchange and creating a platform for future collaborations.”
Pepsi, Next Media, Fenon, Malembe Styles, Radio One and Black Roots Academy of Soul are sponsors of the festival and early bird tickets go for shs250,000 while at the gate, they will be at shs300,000.
