HARARE - Harare is buzzing, and the second day of the October International Jazz and World Music Festival presents an exciting double-bill of two popular Zimbabwean women artistes who embrace the jazz genre — Prudence Katomeni and Hope Masike at Book Café on Thursday, October 18 at 8pm.

The two welcome the opportunity to introduce Down Time Quintet (“pure passion for jazz”), joining the festival courtesy of the Embassy of Italy.

Across the city at Celebration Centre, hosts a wonderful Dance Spectacular from 7pm.

Darling of the jazz stage Prudence Katomeni, flitting in and out of the jazz circuit over many years has been regarded as one of the greatest jazz singers Zimbabwe has produced in recent times.

She never fails to delight with her amazing vocal range, extraordinary poise and power and memorable performances.

Long before she graduated from the Zimbabwe College of Music Jazz Programme a few years ago, Prudence was already well-known in jazz circles, performing with leading jazz artists of Zimbabwe, including Jazz Invitation.

Now with her own ensemble and her debut CD Prudence selling hot off the shelves, the gifted “jazz-ista” is leading the pack with a fabulous performance to touch the hearts of everyone, and always ready for the jazz arena.

Modern mbira princess Hope Masike has returned to Zimbabwe after travelling in the world and studying music in Norway and brings with her a fresh sound with influences from all over, from which she creates exciting musical experiments, now with mbira crossing over into jazz.

Backed by Kakuwe, (the backing group formed in their Zimbabwe College of Music days) she is popular and busy on the Harare music scene, delighting fans and growing audiences in the last few years.

She has been a participating artistes in regional collaborations such as Umoja, and landed in Harare last year to perform with new-found friends from Mozambique and Sweden in the group Monoswezi.

The “world” group will perform again in Harare later this year. Hope released her debut CD Hope in 2010, and her second CD Hope, Love and Chocolate in 2012, both of which have received good airplay on national radio.

She continues to deliver great performances both at home and abroad, to much acclaim. - Entertainment Writers