22 May 2016

Japanese jazz legend, Sadao Watanabe’s performance has impressed revellers who attended his show.

Watanabe had brought with him a band, which delivered an amazing live performance.

The amazing moment was probably when the band performed Shoshoza, a traditional South African folk song that was sung by Ndebele all-male migrant workers that worked in the SA mines.

Watanabe (83), led the vocals of the song, which they did with utmost perfection.

Some of the highlights of the show was when the drummer played alone while other instruments were silent.

The drummer passionately hit those drums to a pace and rhythm that many enjoyed.

Meanwhile, internet sources revealed that Sadao Watanabe first began learning music at the age of 18 and started performing professionally in 1953.

By 1958 he had established himself as a world-class saxophonist having performed with leading musicians and quartets, while in 1962 he left Japan to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

The legend was in 1995 awarded by the college an honorary doctorate degree for his contributions to music, while in addition to his musical career, Watanabe has also published six photography books in Japan.

Among his more prestigious awards are the Order of the Rising Sun, the imperial medal of honour for his contribution to the arts, numerous cultural awards from around the world, and the Fumio Nanri award.

Nonetheless, the Watanabe jazz show in the country was a courtesy of the Botswana Ambassador in Japan.

The show was not just for leisure, but was also an opportunity for businesses of some young Batswana who were engaged to provide sound, lighting and stage among others. ENDS