The luxurious Serena Hotel Kampala is the place to be this Saturday evening for lovers of jazz music. The dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival, headlined by Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, is happening. On the same stage will be Uganda’s jazz icon Isaiah Katumwa, a man whose name is now synonymous with world-class jazz experiences across the world.
At a press conference, Whalum, clearly moved by his connection to the Pearl of Africa, reflected on the deeper meaning of performing here. “When I come to Uganda and play jazz music, I feel like I am paying back a debt,” he said. “There’s a different energy, a deeper connection, a sense of coming home. It’s like I’ve become a child again and my eyes wide open with wonder.”
This Saturday, fans can expect not just a concert, but an experience: an elegant blend of smooth jazz, soulful storytelling, and African rhythm. Also joining the line-up, adding their own groove, are Tshaka Mayanja and the Black Roots Academy of Soul.
dfcu Bank, CEO Charles Mudiwa, spoke passionately about the power of music to connect people. “In Africa, we don’t just listen to music; we live it. This festival is therefore more than an event; it’s a shared journey,” he said.
Isaiah Katumwa, the festival’s founder and visionary force, has long dreamed of placing Uganda on the global jazz map. With this inaugural festival, that dream inches closer to reality. “The dfcu Jazz in th Pearl Festival is about building a cultural landmark—something that puts Uganda on the world stage as a destination for creativity and elegance.”
Helena Mayanja, dfcu Bank’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, emphasized that this is just the beginning. “This is not a one-off celebration,” she noted. “dfcu Jazz in the Pearl will return every year as an annual tradition honouring creativity, musical mastery, and African cultural expression.”
The event kicks off at 6 PM on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Serena Hotel Kampala. Come dressed to impress, ready to sway, and open to the magic of the music.
