Earlier this month, Beats Symphony Orchestra accompanied Navio as he performed his 10th annual show. Dubbed ‘Navio Live in Concert: An Orchestra Experience’ the rapper blended hip-hop with the grandeur of orchestral music. Then, most could have thought that was the last we were seeing of the group that had before the Navio experience given the NTV Akawungeezi intro a more GenZ feel. On Friday, Beats Symphony Orchestra once again showed that orchestral music was the way to go during the fifth edition of The Jazz and Soul Benefit Concert at the Sheraton Hotel, accompanying all performers, beat per beat, note per note.
The event – themed ‘Youth Soaring- hosted by Jazz Benefit Concert Events and sponsored by Stanbic Bank and Batwana Initiative Uganda, was aimed at raising funds for skilling initiatives for underprivileged youth and providing meaningful opportunities for their future. Bantwana is a Zulu word for children, according to Susan Kajura, the Executive Director Bantwana Initiative Uganda. Cue – Caesar Kajura, an accomplished saxophonist and artiste living with a condition, his mother Susan, described as Asperger’s Syndrome –a form of high-functioning autism. Led by Maestro David Noah Mubiru, Beats Symphony Orchestra backed Caesar as he performed Tulo Tulo and Night Patrol featuring Sylvester Kabombo.
Then came Happy Kyazze all vibrant and engaging, with ‘Jangu Onyambe’ off ‘Sounds of Hope’ album which left the 400 or so revelers inside the Rwenzori Ballroom dancing. He would return after the screening of a documentary on the works of REAL Fathers with Emirembe. Resilient, Engaged, and Loving (REAL) Fathers is a comprehensive community-based mentoring program rooted in evidence and designed to address a critical phase in the lives of young men: their transition into fatherhood, according to the Bantwana website. “This programme specifically focuses on young fathers between the ages of 16 and 24, recognising the significant influence they have as both partners and fathers.
The overarching aim is to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to foster positive family dynamics and contribute to the overall health and well-being of their households.” Kohen Jayce -the face of the documentary ‘inspired by the love he has for his son’ then stepped up, with Nva Wala featuring Maurice Kirya, Ability with Axon, The Way featuring Axon and Levixone. Kohen who had prayed that his songs ‘inspire you as they inspire me’ then gave way for Tracy Melon, who engaged and wowed the ‘corporate crowd’ with her songs – Guntwala, Sumagiza, Obuwomi, a rendition of Nfunda Nomubbi and finally Ogenda Kilaba. Kajura then returned on stage to the delight of the revelers performing Twegonze and Omuka.
But it was Aziz Azion who stepped on the stage at 10.17pm who had everyone including World Bank’s Senior Social Development Specialist Serena Cavicchi, dancing to Yegwe. . The crooner then performed Wampisa and Oxygen before picking up a guitar from a member of the Beats Orchestra Symphony to perform Nkumila Omukwano.
Maestro Mubiru and then orchestra then took crowd through Moses Matovu’s Maria and Music. And as the curtains came down on the last performance, the real winners were the young fathers from the eight districts of Amuria, Soroti, Katakwi, Serere, Masindi, Kiryandongo, Kikuube, and Hoima, who will benefit from the proceeds of the concert.
