Acid Jazz- definition: ``Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It was developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are often credited as forerunners of acid jazz. Acid jazz has also experienced minor influences from soul, house, and disco’’.
Although the definition by Wikipedia is pretty comprehensive, nothing can describe the free-flow of inspirational creativity that is acid jazz- especially when it comes from the little but barrel-chested Pragmo’s nimble fingers.
Two weeks ago, aficionados at Serena Hotel poolside were accorded a free treat when Pragmo (finally) decided to showcase his personal talents, instead of playing for other people as he has done for years. Not that it is anything to complain about: he has done the full jazz circuit, from starting out under the wing of Ugandan jazz maestro Shaka Mayanja, to jamming with the greats during the Nile Gold Jazz Safaris, to being booked regularly for the crème de la crème of Uganda’s corporate events. He also now regularly plays at Palms and Crocs restaurant and Boda Boda at Garden City.
One such event, the Ecobank launch on the May 23 last year, was saved from the usual dullness by Pragmo and his band of merry-men’s smooth rendition of “Rio Sunrise” (Enfunkclopaedia Of Jazz album) in a performance that was effortlessly energetic without being fake, as most covers tend to end up being. And that is the genius that is Pragmo: the love of the music is so deep in him, he makes it sound like it originated with him, and in the process, sweeping his band into a fun-factory journey of Funk, that in turn infects the audience with the desire to cha-cha step around their chairs. That particular concert featured Pragmo on keys, Charmant Mushaga on Guitar, Mwatshy Musenge on Bass and Valuer on drums. The short unplanned recording by his lovely hardworking wife/promoter/greatest fan Norah Nsaiga, and posted on You-Tube is a testament to what I am saying.
Pragmo’s skill is so fundamental, that even a short tutorial he pasted on You-Tube called ``Pragmo Progression in D short tutorial’’, once he shows how he would play the note-progression, ends up feeling like 13 seconds of soul gospel heaven, his ring fingers taped with plaster softly spread on the keys like real feeling, complete with mouth-box cymbals simulations to keep the rhythm going.
Pragmo names his influences and abiding musical loves as Roy Ayers (the Indomitable God-Father of Acid Jazz that pioneered the sound in the 1970s). Think of (or Google) ``Everybody Loves the Sunshine’’ to feel the creative genius that is Roy Ayers or the Radio One favorite ``Running Away’’ by Roy Ayers, that got us hooked on the sound that Pragmo unleashed to his unsuspecting audience at Serena. Other delights included Anita Baker’s ``Sweet Love’’, sung delectably by the equally delectable lead vocalist Emolos Basutta, drummer Roy Kasika going nuts on the drums (in a good way) and the `Scratch Master’ Twonjex Mugarura adding the much needed scratches and tweaks on his decks that make up that remarkable Acid Jazz sound, complete with an attire of grease-monkey overalls. Other influences and sounds you will hear Pragmo play include Chic Corea, Marc Moulin, George Duke and John Legend thrown in for good measure, for those too young to remember the rest or un-initiated into the fine art of cool Acid Jazz.
Pragmo will be back again on the 27 of December at Serena Poolside, with Pragmo Acid - Jazz Nite Presents “ CHRISTMAS PEROXIDE” : “DANGEROUS IF NOT USED CORRECTLY” :-)Featuring Guest Vocalist, the only one CHARLIE KING who featured with Pragmo Band at the PRAU Excellence Awards 2011. Pragmo Acid - Jazz Band oxidizes this Christmas in a unique form brought to sublime... CHRISTMAS PEROXIDE!! 10,000/= with 1 Free Soft Drink courtesy of Serena.
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