Ghafla Chronicles: 5 Type of people to find in a Jazz event #safaricomjazz
It’s that time of the year where the Jazz battalion makes its way to Kenya for yet another edition of the Safaricom Jazz Festival which is bound to go down this coming Sunday, 26th February.
Prior to that event however, Safaricom always hosts themed mini events just to gear you up for the main act and give you a glimpse of what you should be expecting. I managed to attend one last Thursday, the Belgian night and it was mind blowing.
Taxi wars were the main act and they drove the audience into frenzy. Being the first time to attend a Jazz event, it was really rejuvenating though it could have been the Jameson pulling a first one me; expect it to be plenty whenever Safaricom is involved.
Since I was also alone, I took time peruse the crowd and here are some of the characters I could pick out:
Mr. I need to find my wife-“Hey have you seen my wife?” That’s the question this Caucasian 50 year old asked me when Taxi Wars stopped performing. And I was like, huh? And the guy held his eye actually expecting me to answer. “And I was like, definitely not in my whiskey”…And that’s when he laughed and laughed and I had no choice but to laugh as well. And when he was done, he told me he was joking and have you seen my wife vibe always works for him as a conversation starter. Then we started talking about the show, TaxiWar’s incredible performance and just how Jazz has revolutionized over they years. In the process though he had to cut me short as he had to actually find the wife, for real this time; apparently she had the car keys and she has a tendency of always taking a hike when liquer is involved… “I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to seduce Taxi Wars lead singer” he whispered before making a run for the door.
Also expect to find the Jazz lover. This is the guy who attends the event just for the Jazz and nothing else. He doesn’t even sit for a single second throughout the performance and practically sings along to every song. He also tends to shout a lot and cause quite the fuss when the band eventually has to leave the stage.
Also expect to find the Networker in a Jazz event. The guy who comes through to meet and network because well, all the well off people can be found in Jazz events. So he sees you walking you in slippers and he stops you asking if you are a venture capitalist (all venture capitalists dress some typa way) looking for the next big thing to place your money on. Before you could even answer, he chucks out his phone and starts showing his latest app which he assures will blow the masses away. The only thing you need to do is invest 3 million with a 25% shareholding and you’re good to go. If only he knew you are just blogger earning a meager 3K every month.
Mr. I need to take you home with me always makes it to Jazz events because why? There’s lot of booze, class and opulence which is perfect remedy to impress his next lay. He’s probably a guy in accounting who is cousins with the PR person for the event. So he secures himself the tickets and tags along his date that he’s looking to take home. After dancing along to some tunes, probably rehearsed, he makes the first step of assuring the lass that he’s indeed leaving it before going on a chemical warfare spree…and most of the time he always scores because there are no losers in Jazz.
Also expect to find Miss all my friends need to recognize who comes through to the event just for the gram…she’s infatuated with snap chat and a Jazz event provides just the right opportunity to harness that. I mean the décor, the people, the music and the opulence clearly define what bad and boujee is all about.
And if you don’t believe me, make your way down to Kasarani Stadium this coming Sunday and see for yourself. In the process also get to sample some great music from the likes of David Sanborn; world renowned saxophonist from the USA will be the headlining performer alongside other great acts.
Check them out here.
