Isaiah Katumwa closed the year with more than a concert at Skyz Hotel Naguru on Monday. The self-taught saxophonist, whose sound is rooted in gospel and shaped by over 30 years of quiet excellence, delivered a reflective Christmas jazz night that felt deeply personal and intentional.
Welcomed by MCs Simon Kasyate and Siima Sabiti, the poolside audience was set at ease with humour before Katumwa took the stage, letting his music speak. Drawing largely from Dance Again, an album yet to be officially launched in Uganda, he guided listeners through original compositions, reminding them that “every song has a story.”
Midway through the evening, the mood shifted as Katumwa shared news of a family loss affecting his band. He asked for a brief prayer, reinforcing the night’s deeper theme, love that is felt, shared and lived, not merely spoken. Introducing What Is Love, he challenged the audience to reflect on love’s visible, tangible power.
The evening also marked a turning point. Earlier this year, Katumwa celebrated 30 years in music and announced a renewed chapter, creating new work and projecting his sound to the world from Uganda. He introduced his new manager, Elizabeth Kyomugisha Mushabe, calling the concert their first intentional step forward.
As the night closed with Special Feelings, the message was clear: this was not just jazz. It was faith, purpose and the promise of what comes next, beautifully summed up by MC Simon Kasyate: “What a way to close the year.”
