Gerald Albright
This year’s edition of the Stanbic Jazz Festival scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in Accra from November 2 to 4 has been launched in Accra.
The event which is under the theme: ‘Sax and Strings on Cruise’ will feature American jazz legend Gerald Albright and Cameroonian born sensation, Richard Bona.
The two international jazz artistes will perform alongside 15 selected local artistes, including Aka Blay and the Abiza Band, saxophonist Tom Braxton, Paa Kow, Licks and Riffs, the Ayisah Dey duo and Stephanie Benson.
Speaking at the launch of the 2017 Stanbic Jazz Festival, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Alhassan Andani, stated that jazz music, with its long history in Ghana, provides a platform for both local and global icons to meet and musically interact with one another.
He said Stanbic Ghana’s aim is to develop the jazz festival to a national attraction and a tourist event, making Ghana a good destination for business.
The Head of Marketing & Communications, Stanbic Bank, Mawuko Afadzinu, explained that the bank has treated patrons to top-flight jazz musicians such as Peter White and Earl Klugh over the last few years.
He said to ensure that the Stanbic Jazz Festival gains recognition as a stop on the global jazz calendar, the bank has been working to present top-flight musicians to the people of Ghana.
Mr Afadzinu disclosed that Stanbic’s vision is to contribute in positive ways to the local economyby developing and growing the music industry, thereby, providing employment, training and skills development in all the related fields.
He said Stanbic Bank’s association with such world-class talent is to buttress the point that “we aim to deliver world-class service”.
As part of Stanbic’s support for worthy causes, the event will be in aid of the fight against malaria, and part of the ticket proceeds would be used to support the Infanta Foundation.