An enchanting blend of melodic and harmonic expressions captivated the audience as Spanish-American trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Milena Casado, supported by the GHJazz Collective, opened this year’s International Jazz Day Concert on May 3 at +233 Jazz Bar and Grill in Accra.
Without uttering a word, Casado signaled her intent and launched straight into “Thula Mtwana” by the late South African multi-instrumentalist Bheki Mseleku—a haunting, fluid piece that showcased her band’s seamless chemistry and technical flair. Each musician took turns in solos, building to moments of exquisite unison that stirred warm applause from the audience.
Casado then introduced “Nana Freme”, a jazz interpretation laced with Adowa rhythms, blending traditional Ghanaian folk elements with refined jazz harmonies. Her delight in performing in Ghana was evident as she expressed gratitude to the GHJazz Collective and +233’s management for the opportunity to be part of what she described as “an incredible event.”
The group continued to impress with a repertoire that included original compositions from saxophonist Bernard Ayisa, pianist Victor Dey Jr., and Casado’s own reflective piece “Resilience”, which was accompanied by a moving poetic performance from Ghanaian poet Poetra. The set was both soul-stirring and invigorating.
The night’s second act featured Brazilian-American vocalist Jackie Ribas, who offered a more familiar and upbeat selection. Returning to +233 after last year’s Jazz Day, Ribas thrilled the crowd with jazz-infused renditions of classics by Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Michael Jackson, and Aretha Franklin. Her soaring vocals and scat-singing drew cheers, while a samba number brought dancers to the floor—including Ribas herself—for a joyous, high-energy finale.
As the evening wound down, many patrons lingered to engage with the performers, echoing the sentiment that this year’s concert had been a tremendous success.
Organized by the Ghana Jazz Foundation in partnership with +233 Jazz Bar and Grill, the event formed part of the annual International Jazz Day, established by UNESCO in 2011 to celebrate jazz as a global unifier. Though traditionally held on April 30, this year’s edition was moved to May 3—and it still struck all the right chords.