The musical show that featured the Malagasy acapella trio of SA Roy with South African and Swiss rhythm lived up to its billing. The collaboration with one of Zimbabwe’s best bass guitarist and mbira maestro Josh Meck and Mary Anibal respectively added the local flavour that left the audience clamouring for more following a lively and memorable performance.
The group performed various songs in Malagasy and Shona. In an interview on the side-lines of their performance, SA Roy lead vocalist, Patrice Soaraza said: “We feel so lucky and honoured, this is our first time at HIFA and I can tell you that it is amazing, I can feel the love and it just feels good”.
Following their recent tour of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe during the Francophonie Cultural Festival in March, the band said HIFA presented them with another opportunity to showcase their work, as well as to gain experience in an international environment.
On the closing day of the festival, the musical group also got an opportunity to collaborate with Madala Kunene, the acclaimed South African Jazz guitarist who has over 40 years in the industry and eight albums under his belt.
Robert Trunz, the band manager said the HIFA experience was great and very enlightening.
“As SA Roy and the Forest Jam we really enjoyed our stay in Zimbabwe and the exceptional collaboration that we had with Madala Kunene (the King of the Zulu Guitar), Josh Meck and Mary Anibal. We saw other acts and we felt the high quality of work that was present at this year’s HIFA. We will certainly continue to work and perfect our performance and hopefully we will be at the next HIFA,” he said.
Josh Meck said his collaborative experience was the best ever and he has fallen in love with SA Roy and The Forest Jam Band and he would like to continue with the collaboration with the band in their tours in the future.
"I will continue to work with SA Roy and the Forest Jam band so as to improve my music.”
SA Roy and the Forest Jam performance at HIFA 2017 was supported by the Swiss Embassy in Zimbabwe in partnership with the Swiss Arts Council (Pro Helvetia).
