Kas Kasozi
The Kaz Kasozi Soiree that has been happening in various locations since September is setting standards on how performing artistes can engage audiences.
For starters a musical soiree is an evening party or social gathering one held for a musical purpose
They are performances that see the artiste (Kaz Kasozi) embark on serialized shows organized in seven unconventional locations in equally unconventional and intimate ways aimed at getting music lovers involved.
The aim of the shows is to bring music lovers closer to the music with ease. The artiste kicks out boxed ideas like having a raised stage platform to having the band stationed within the audience.
The first part of the series took place at Tamarai Restaurant in Kololo. It was the kind of show where the audience went out on a coffee date with the performer, in fact, even the stage set had a coffee table where band members would take turns to sit, enjoy a beverage while the other members continued playing.
The episodes that followed were themed and carefully named in ways to mirror what they represented musically. The show in November was termed Future2077 and one in the Christmas holiday at the Design Hub was DavidStar while the one that took place at his Little Room studio in Makindye on Saturday was WordSail.
In the past, Kasozi through the series has shared his stage with artistes that rocked the industry. These ranged from Frank Mbalire and Sammy Kasule to newer acts like vocalist Herbert Ssensamba, bassist Ernest Otim and lead guitarist Aloysious Matovu.
In the sixth chapter at his studio, he hosted a picnic-kind of event – the memo in fact asked revelers to come with mats and their dancing shoes.
With meat roasting, flowing wine, sodas and coffee, this edition was indeed different from those he has done at the Design Hub. Some even argued that it channelled the famous Blankets and Wine minus the slay queens.
The merry making at the show started from the sound checking, Kasozi and the band were not just tight but beautiful to the ears.
With Elijah Kitaka on the drums, Lawrence Matovu on bass, Ronnie Bukenya on keys and Kasozi on the lead guitar, the four have created a formidable team who besides their mastery have forged a chemistry that allows them to have fun with the shows than simply play.
A song writer and producer, Kasozi has in the past worked with artistes Kenneth Mugabi, Sandra Nankoma and Rachel Magoola among others.
Racheal Magoola on stage with Kas Kasozi. PHOTOS BY ANDREW KAGGWA
The latter performed songs mostly from her Eisadha album, but it was her classic Obangaina that didn’t leave a soul on a seat.
Since the shows were in a residential area, they were done before 9pm to avoid inconveniencing the neighbours.
Different people that have attended the shows have rated kasozi differently with Tshaka Mayanja comparing him to legendary blues artiste, Buddy Guy, adding that the art needs a bigger stage.
The next edition of the Soiree will take place in Jinja during the Valentine’s Day week.
