18 Mar 2025

A ground breaking jazz experience presented on Sunday night at Mo’s Open Table in Gaborone’s Fairgrounds Precinct proved a hit with the capital city’s music enthusiasts.

Live performances tampered with DJ sets delivered a one of a kind entertainment. The event, live broadcast on Gabz FM and Duma FM and also live streamed online saw an audience that filled the venue enjoy an evening of live music and a local playlist of jazz classics.

Organised by All Things Musical, a local music establishment dedicated to promoting Botswana’s cultural music heritage through curating events and branding, the “Breezing Featuring WDP and Friends” concert was tailored as Botswana’s first multi-platform jazz celebration.

All Things Musical Director and WDP band leader, Leroy Nyoni revealed that the event highlighted the role of terrestrial radio in propelling the jazz art form while embracing other models such as online platforms.

He said similar multi-channel syndicating had demonstrated remarkable impact worldwide, citing the BBC Proms, which similarly intergrates live radio broadcast with digital streaming, reaching millions globally, offering sponsors an opportunity to leverage on the broader audience engagement to market their brands.

“Likewise, the HeartRadio Music Festival leverages a combination of live radio and online video streams, significantly boosting sponsor return on investment. In Africa, initiatives such as the MTN Music Video Awards have also extended reach through similar means,” Nyoni revealed.

In addition to traditional Botswana jazz classics from the likes of Nono Siile and Lister Boleseng being played in DJ sets in between the live performances, the audience got to savour the headline performance by WDP providing live music.

Lead vocalist, Debbie with a T, belted out tunes that seamlessly blended with fellow vocalist and drummer Nyoni, as well as Lereko Almond Lesole on bass and Thero Seleka on guitar. WDP provided live jazzy renditions of some of the country’s popular classics ranging from Franco’s Ke Lela Le Lona to Scar’s My People.

Other bands that performed on the night were the Botswana Society for Jazz Education Junior Band as well as Grow to Black Collective plus a local curated playlist by Mohumi Modise and The Big O. ENDS