International Jazz Day thrill returns to +233

Two accomplished Jazz acts: trumpeter Milena Casado and singer Jackie Ribas, both from the United States, will be the special guests at this year’s International Jazz Day celebration on May 3 at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra. The GHJazz Collective will also be in attendance.

It is the first time since 2012 when +233 started observing the big occasion for jazz enthusiasts everywhere, that two women are headlining the event there. Music enthusiasts in the nation’s capital can’t wait to hear them express their musicality. 

International Jazz Day was declared in 2011 by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to emphasise the role of Jazz as a uniting factor for people all over the world. It is marked annually on April 30 but some countries sometimes vary the dates for their main concerts due to their own circumstances.

Jazz is a multi-pronged style of music with composers and performers offering many different approaches. Instrumentalist and composer Milena Casado is a crusader in her own right, bringing delightful perspectives to what she does. 

Creating one’s own voice is the surest way to get adequate attention in the world of Jazz. The fact that Casado has appeared at several of the world’s top venues and festivals including Carnegie Hall, The Village Vanguard, The Kennedy Centre, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival, says a lot about her high standing in international circles. 

For some regular patrons of +233, it will be another warm ‘akwaaba’ for Jackie Ribas who performed at the 2024 International Jazz Day concert at +233. She won over many new fans at the show with her delectable singing and it would be nice to hear some more from her, whether doing some well-loved standards or contemporary stuff.   

The GHJazz Collective of Bernard Ayisa (saxophone), Victor Dey Jr. (piano), Frank Kissi (drums) and Gaddiel Amoah (electric bass) are always in a class of their own. They are first-rate players who know how to flow with audiences.

 International Jazz Day concerts are always happy moments at +233. Fans have in the past enjoyed acts like singer Pilani Bubu (South Africa), saxophonist Godwin Louis, trumpeter Bruce Harris and guitarist Colter Harper (United States), guitarist Jack Muguna (Kenya), trumpeter Nicholas Genest (France) and bassist Manu Falla (Benin). 

May 3 is definitely another date to savour more delightful international Jazz from 8.30pm at +233.