Standard Bank will hold, on December 2nd, at the Eduardo Mondlane University Campus, the fourth edition of the Standard Bank Acacia Jazz festival, which will have as headliners the saxophonist Everette Harp and the keyboardist Jeff Lorber, both from the United States of America.

Introduced in 2017 as a way to honor the country's capital, also known as the "City of Acacias," the festival will also feature performances by Mozambican guitarist Jimmy Dludlu and the new promise of national afro-jazz, Leyna Souto.

"We intend to enhance our culture and promote the city of Maputo, its beauty and everything it has to offer. There is a lot that is not known outside and we intend to publicize this as a way to boost tourism," explained Alfredo Mucavela, Director of Marketing and Communication at Standard Bank.

Through this event, the bank hopes to contribute to the internationalization of Mozambican music and promote the country as a tourist destination of reference, elevating its culture and promoting cultural exchange between musicians and other national art makers, in general, with artists from various parts of the world.

It is also intended to help promote the new generation of artists that has been emerging in the country. For this reason, as has been her custom, this edition includes a new and rising voice on the national afro-jazz scene, that of Leyna Souto.

"We always try to combine international afro-jazz music with new talents in the country. We already had Banda Kakana and Walter Mabas. This is a way to highlight and value Mozambican music. This is what we have been doing and will continue to do," said Alfredo Mucavela.

With this group of artists, the conditions are created to, as in previous editions, toast the citizens of Maputo and jazz lovers from all over the country with a memorable show.

This edition will take place at the Eduardo Mondlane University Campus, according to Alfredo Mucavela, to allow more people to attend the show. "In the previous venues, we could accommodate between 500 and 600 people. This time, we believe we will be able to double this number".

On the occasion, the director of the Municipal Department of Culture of Maputo City, Rodrigo Sala, reiterated the commitment to continue working with Standard Bank in the realization of this and other events, which, in his opinion, contribute to the transformation of the city of Maputo as a preferred destination for cultural tourism.

"We thank Standard Bank for bringing an event of this magnitude and adopting the name of our City of Acacias. There is firmness in continuing down this path together. We feel that this edition will have, literally, a valuable spice, considering the line-up prepared to mark the 135 years of our city," said Rodrigo Sala.

It should be noted that the fourth edition of the Standard Bank Acacia Jazz festival is held in partnership with the Maputo City Council and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.