WINDOEK-The annual Jazz-Off Concert takes place tomorrow night at the Playhouse Theatre.

Organiser, Ashante Manetti, says jazz musicians will be performing and thereafter, an sms line will be opened to the public to  vote for their favourite act to performing on November 3 during the annual Jazz Encounter which know has been renamed the Windhoek Jazz Festival.  

“Musician taking part in the Jazz Off will consist of acts that have performed at the Old Mutual Jazz stage before, as well as other established acts.  

This Jazz-off was initiated to gain public interaction, to engage more with the public and to allow them to have some ownership in this event. It was also established to act as a promotional medium, to create excitement for the bigger Windhoek Jazz Festival taking place in the 3rd of November,” Ashante explains.

The selection of established artists to perform at the Windhoek Jazz Festival will be determined partly by a panel of judges at the Jazz-Off Concert tomorrow night.  Musicians such as Patricia Ochurus, Big Ben, Lize Ehlers and Freddy Taylor, among others will perform tomorrow followed by a poll among the public on 99 FM  “The competence of this year’s upcoming performers is of the highest standard and the auditions showcased amazing local Jazz talent, proving that this music genre is on rise in Namibia and promising a festival that should not be missed,” she adds.

A total of 9 new bands auditioned for the chance to perform at this year’s Windhoek Jazz Festival that was previously hosted by Old Mutual, is now organised by a team of stakeholders that include City of Windhoek, 99Fm, Old Mutual, Heineken, Air Namibia, Hilton Hotel,  DB Audio,  Playhouse,  Adforce and National Art Council of Namibia taking place at the Hage Geingob Stadium. Doors open at 18h00 and tickets can be bought from any Computicket or Playhouse Theatre for N$ 60.