HARARE – A multinational group of jazz musicians will tour Zimbabwe and Zambia this September as part of a cultural residency project that will also feature on the programme of the prestigious Zimbabwe Jazz Festival.
The initiative, titled Frank Salis Experience – The Zambezi Sessions, brings together five musicians from Switzerland, the United States, Italy, Zambia and Zimbabwe for a two-week collaborative residency that will include concerts, workshops and community engagements.
The ensemble is led by Swiss Hammond organist Frank Salis, with Alex Wasily (USA, trombone), Max Covini (Italy, based in Zimbabwe, drums), Mr. Chanx (Zambia, guitar) and Theresa Muteta (Zimbabwe, vocals) completing the line-up.
Organisers say the residency is designed to encourage cultural dialogue through jazz while creating opportunities for young musicians across the two countries. Schools and cultural centres will host workshops during the tour, giving upcoming artists exposure to international practice and mentorship.
The Harare and Bulawayo concerts will serve as official highlights of the Zimbabwe Jazz Festival, cementing the collaboration’s ties with the country’s growing jazz scene.
“The Zambezi Sessions is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Fanny Gauthier, Director of Alliance Française Harare. “This project is more than just a musical tour; it is an opportunity to create a shared experience, celebrate our differences, and connect through the rhythms of jazz.”
The project is supported by a consortium of international partners, including the Embassy of France in Zimbabwe, the Embassy of Switzerland to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, the Alliance Française network in Harare, Bulawayo and Lusaka, the US Embassy Harare, and the Embassy of Italy.
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