Music Crossroads in Jazz Day celebration

Music Crossroads Malawi has said the jazz genre remains the root and basis for understanding music, hence joining the world in celebrating International Jazz Day today.

International Jazz Day is an international day declared by Unesco in 2011 to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.

It is celebrated on April 30 and the idea came from jazz pianist and Unesco Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.

“For those of us in music education, we find jazz as the basis and foundation for understanding music,” Music Crossroads Malawi Director Mathews Mfune said.

He said they have since organised an International Jazz Day Festival at Pakwathu Entertainment centre in Lilongwe on May 1, 2026.

The event will feature performances from The Move International Band, The Daughters Band, The Alkebulan, Iska, The Smooth Groovers and Dan Sibale and Friends.

“Jazz Day is April 30 but we will do it on May 1 to take advantage of the holiday,” Mfune said.

He said there would be professional talks about jazz at the festival.

“We just want to call upon people to come and sample the best of Malawi jazz,” Mfune said.

Meanwhile, singer and guitarist Erik Paliani has said he will continue to push jazz strides in the country.

Paliani, who is wellknown for his stints with jazz maestro Hugh Masekela, said recently that he planned to introduce a ‘Jazz and Wine Club’, which he described as a unique initiative.

“This is an exciting venture where we combine the exclusivity of jazz culture with the sophistication of wine culture. Our aim is to introduce people to the pleasure of enjoying wine accompanied by jazz,” the artist said.

The ‘Chitukutuku’ star said there was immense talent in the country.

“We hope to do more to introduce jazz to the people and continue initiatives such as The Ultimate Guitar Workshop,” the artist said.

In December last year, Paliani—alongside McLuther Mambala—hosted music lovers to an Ultimate Jazz Black Attire concert at Apollo Auditorium in Blantyre.