Thursday 01 October 2009, 8.30pm

The Mannenberg Jazz Club, Harare

The Mannenberg, Harare’s busiest jazz club and host to many visiting artists over the years, welcomes Salque & Peirani, world renowned French artists (cello and accordion), to the Harare stage on Thursday 01 October from 8.30pm.  In the frame of French–Zimbabwean cultural cooperation, Salque and Peirani are proudly presented by Alliance Française of Harare, supported by The French Embassy and warmly welcomed at The Mannenberg by Pamberi Trust and its Jazz Appreciation programme.

Jazz and music-lovers of the capital will be treated to a unique sound blending jazz, tango and modern classical music by two young European artists, with an ‘audacious’ repertoire which is a result of a meeting between two great musical minds. 

Francois Salque is today a world-class cello player and highly ranked in his field, having worked with numerous international classical orchestras. Vincent Peirani also world-renown as a brilliant accordion player who has toured the world with some of the worlds greats in jazz.  Together, their sensitivity to the creation of their unique sound has been crowned by several music awards and prizes that recognise the unique brilliance of their sounds. 

Alliance Francaise are strong supporters of culture throughout the world, and the Harare centre has brought many excellent artists to the Zimbabwean people over the years, in good cooperation with local artists and arts organisations.  Pamberi Trust extends a warm welcome to new director Charles Houdart, who has very recently arrived in Harare, and is hosting Salque and Peirani.  

The Jazz Appreciation Society at The Mannenberg is a Pamberi Trust project designed to stimulate knowledge and interest in jazz, and to forge links with international jazz.  In the recent past the project has welcomed groups from the US, Cuba, South Africa.  It promotes the work of local jazz artists and is currently working with the afrojazz group Color Blu on a monthly series of events to celebrate the music of Southern African artists.  

Pamberi Trust project officer Penny Yon said:  “While the genre tag ‘afrojazz’ is wide and general in itself, and vastly different to jazz from Europe and other parts of the world, the essence of jazz is international, crossing all barriers and boundaries, and speaking directly to the soul.  We need this kind of cultural exchange which enriches artists and audiences and which, through music, establishes a powerful world network which is not based on race, colour, creed or politics.  Zimbabweans are quite isolated in terms of exposure to such music, and we are grateful and excited about this unique opportunity.   We extend a warm welcome to Salque and Pierani, to our country, and our stage.”   

For this rich cultural exchange there is one show only, and advance tickets are available from the Alliance Francaise and The Mannenberg/Book Café office, cover charge US$10.  Tickets are limited and Jazz-lovers are advised to get in early! 

Penny Yon

Pamberi Trust