Artistes billed to welcome music lovers into the new year are the Lipstick Queens (January 1), Native Vibe and West Coast Band (January 2) and Afro4 Band from Nigeria (January 3).

 Bassist Etienne Mbappe and the GHJazz Collective featuring Godwin Louis (saxophonist) and Simon Moulier (vibraphonist) will take to the stage on January 4 and there will be a Master Jam Session to round off everything on January 5.

Bernard Ayisa (left) and Victor Dey Jr. of the GHJazz Collective

The Lipstick Queens has been around for a decade and is among the leading bands in Ghana at the moment.  The band lights up +233 on Wednesday nights and many have enjoyed their playing at private events as well. It should be fun time with them on the first day of 2025.  

Native Vibe comprised guitarist Bill Macpherson and bassist Nee Sackey but the latter passed on in May this year. Jazz In January 2025 would be a good time to pay tribute to him and see how Macpherson is soldiering on with his guitar.

Bill Macpherson

The West Coast Band, led by keyboardist Carl Amoah, is a progressive unit that covers a lot of ground in contemporary popular music. They are always a delight to listen to.      

The Afro4 Band from Nigeria is made up of Bright Gain (bass), Wale Adeyemi (drums and vocals), Victor Ademofe (trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion and vocals) and Luyanda Madope  (piano, keyboards and vocals). 

The Afro4 Band from Nigeria

They say they are on an African sonic journey and craft music that’s uniquely theirs. This would be their first appearance at +233 and it would be interesting to see how they live up to the description of being the ‘Quintessential African Jazz Superband.’

Camerounian bassist singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer Etienne Mbappé is an accomplished hand. He is familiar with Ghana’s music scene and can lay down some wicked Highlife grooves when the spirit moves him. Apart from having material under his own name, Mbappé has worked with John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Manu Dibango, Salif Keita and many other notable names. 

American saxophonist Godwin Louis is a Grammy Award-nominated musician who last played at +233 in April 2019 at the International Jazz Day concert. He is widely travelled and has an enjoyable hybrid approach to music.

 American vibraphonist Simon Moulier has five albums under his name. He has toured widely and played at some of the most respected jazz clubs and festivals around the world.

With such a line up, Jazz In January Festival 2025 is expected to be a fascinating affair. Gate opens at 7.00pm for all the performances.