Rehearsal has been intense at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra for members of the HEMU (Haute École de Musique) Jazz Orchestra from Switzerland as they get ready for gigs on October 29, October 30, and November 4 at the venue.

The shows form part of the orchestra’s ‘Ghana Experience’ package which has brought the young players down for first-hand experience of various aspects of Ghana’s cultural life.

Accompanied by Artistic Directors, bassist Etienne Mbappe and vibist Thomas Dobler, the orchestra is determined to relay its admirable, varied approaches to jazz enthusiasts in the nation’s capital.

The 8.00pm session on October 29 will be a night of diverse presentations influenced by jazz, classical music, Ghanaian highlife, and traditional West African music. Also scheduled for an 8.00pm start, the October 30 appearance is labelled The Accra Jazz Academy Masterclass.  Etienne Mbappe and Thomas Dobler, together with drummer Ato Qwamena, will feature with the orchestra.

Music students and practicing musicians from the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, the Musicians Union of Ghana, and other music-related outfits, have been invited to the Masterclass session. There is no entry fee for the October 29 and October 30 programmes but the November 4 programme slated to kick off at 9.00pm, attracts an entry fee.

Etienne Mbappé is a world-acclaimed electric bassist originally from Cameroun. He also plays double bass and guitar. He has collaborated, toured, and recorded with many prominent acts including John McLaughlin, Manu Dibango, Robben Ford, Salif Keita, Ray Charles, Steps Ahead, and Bill Evans.

Thomas Dobler is a percussionist and international soloist in classical, jazz, and world music. He is also an arranger and a teacher. As a jazz musician and bandleader, he has toured and recorded extensively.

In recent years, the HEMU Jazz Orchestra has worked with top-notch jazz acts including American saxist Dave Liebman. It has also performed on prestigious stages such as the Cully Jazz Festival, Jazz Onze+ Festival and the Nova Jazz Festival, all in Switzerland.

The ‘Ghana Experience’ project is made possible through collaboration with a wide network of partners in Switzerland and Ghana.