By Ogova Ondego
Published April 26, 2016

Angola's Aline Frazao performs at Sauti za Busara 2015Zanzibar-based Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) music festival is calling for musicians from all over the world to apply for participation in 2017.

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Presenters of the four-day festival, Busara Promotions, say the event—that was postponed in 2016 due to financial constraints—shall be held February 9-12, 2017.

“Priority is given to music from East Africa and we are making extra effort this year to encourage artists from the region to participate,” Busara Promotions say in a Media statement issued in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

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The organisers say they consider all kinds of musicians; from “big-name ‘crowd-pullers'” to “young, local and emerging performers, from urban and rural areas.” But, they stress, “only those who perform live (no playbacks) music” are selected.

Djmawi Africa of Algeria at Sauti za Busara 2015

Artists interested in the event are advised to complete an online application form and submit it in, together with recent recordings and photos, to Busara Promotions before July 31, 2016.

Saying their event is “an international festival, attended by artists, managers, promoters and journalists from across the world,” Busara Promotions say musicians who participate in the event “gain the opportunity for worldwide promotion through the year: on local and international TV, radio and print; on festival website, newsletters and blogs; and in souvenir programmes and other printed materials.”

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Tanzania's Ali Kiba at Sauti za Busara 2015“At Sauti za Busara,” Busara Promotions say, “local artists further gain the opportunity to be seen by international journalists, festival promoters and music managers who come to Zanzibar every year in February to scout for East African talents.”

Among local musicians spotted at Sauti za Busara and who went on to be invited to perform at other festivals across Africa, Europe and USA, the organisers say, include Leo Mkanyia, Msafiri Zawose, Jagwa Music, Jahazi Modern Taarab, Bi Kidude, Tausi Women’s Taarab, Maulidi ya Homu ya Mtendeni, Culture Musical Club, X Plastaz, Ifa Band, Makadem and Sarabi.