It is going to be historic; Uganda will witness for the first time a dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival, a mega event bringing together world-class jazz musicians from the world over and home-based musicians to give a momentous night of music. This is scheduled for May 10, 2025, at Kampala Serena Hotel. The festival promises to merge international and African influences into a rare treat for those in love with music.

The event, staged by dfcu Bank, will not just be a concert-it will be about culture, coming together, and music that affects. According to Helena Mayanja, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu Bank, this event illustrates how committed they are to forging a future filled with hope, change, and communities coming together in love and joy. “Music has this incredible power to break barriers and unite people,” she said. For 60 years, dfcu Bank has been committed to building a community of progress, and this festival is our way of celebrating that journey with the people of Uganda.”

The festival will feature an impressive lineup of artists, including Uganda’s own Isaiah Katumwa-a world-renowned saxophonist who, since relocating to the United States, has not performed in Uganda. His performance is being touted as a long-awaited homecoming, and his return to the stage is anticipated by his many fans. Sharing the stage with him will be Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, whose soulful melodies have captured hearts all over the world. Also lined up is Tshaka Mayanja and the Black Roots Academy of Soul, one of Uganda’s most talented jazz ensembles.

The dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival does not stop at entertainment; rather, it culminates in the preservation of jazz culture within Uganda. Mayanja says that this festival happens to be one of the bank’s long-term visions: a well-set East African jazz festival that will happen annually and gracefully force its way into the annual global music festivals calendar. “This festival is a tribute to the rich culture of jazz,” she said. It also serves as a forum for Ugandan jazz musicians to share the stage with international stars, hence facilitating artistic exchange and opening doors for future collaborations.

It will be a moment when music lovers across Uganda and beyond converge to experience magic in jazz amidst the great setting. The Kampala Serena Hotel will host this historical event, considering its elegance with world-class facilities. From the blend of local to international talents, this festival will be an unparalleled night of performances and cultural events.

The festival will also look forward to projecting the rich jazz scene of Uganda, plus provide Ugandan artists with a forum to become stars on an international stage-one the few opportunities where Ugandan musicians have shared the stage with the world stars. This opens up the door for future collaborations and career growth. The festival combines artists from different parts of the world together in celebration of the diversity and richness of jazz music, and also putting Uganda’s talent on the map.

The dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival already has a number of sponsors who have shown support, including Pepsi, Next Media, Fenon, Malembe Styles, Radio One, and Black Roots Academy of Soul. Early bird tickets are available at shs250,000, while those at the gate will go for shs300,000. With the lineup of stars to perform and the appeal of the festival, the tickets are expected to sell like hotcakes.

dfcu Jazz in the Pearl is any jazz enthusiast’s dream. For the privileged few who will be attending these concerts, it’s magic-live jazz, executed by the cream of the crop around the globe. For the Ugandan musicians, this means the opportunity to show their craft on a world stage and with world icons; for dfcu Bank, this is a celebration of its commitment toward progress and community, brought together by music.

With the countdown to May 10, 2025, already underway, excitement is building toward what promises to be a landmark event in Uganda’s cultural calendar. Whether you are a lifelong jazz enthusiast or new to the genre, the dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival is an event you won’t want to miss. So, save the date, get your tickets, and be part of magic at the heart of Kampala. This is way more than just a concert; it is music, culture, and connection-something no person would want to miss.