Ugandan saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa has added another milestone to his music career after his album New Days earned two nominations at the 10th Mzantsi Jazz Awards in South Africa.
Katumwa has been nominated in the categories of Best International Jazz Album/Artist and Best African Jazz Album/Artist, placing Uganda among the leading jazz talents being recognised on the continent.
The winners will be announced on August 15, 2026, during an awards ceremony at the Drama Theatre of the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
The nominations follow the growing international recognition of New Days, an album that carries themes of hope, healing and new beginnings. The project highlights Katumwa’s signature Afro-smooth jazz style, blending expressive saxophone melodies with contemporary musical arrangements.
The album also achieved a historic milestone after featuring on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay Chart, making Katumwa one of the African instrumental musicians to gain recognition on the global jazz platform.
In the Best International Jazz Album/Artist category, Katumwa faces competition from acclaimed musicians including British jazz violinist Daniel John Martin, South African vocalist Tutu Puoane and a British-Nigerian soul-jazz singer-songwriter.
For the Best African Jazz Album/Artist category, he will compete against several established jazz artistes, including Christine Kamau, Dotun Bankole, Ola Onabulé, Berima Amo, Apiwe Bubu, Sibusiso Lerole, Siyangoba Mthethwa, Bonginkosi Innocent Yeko, Kabelo El Chen Mogale and Fanie Sandile Dick.
Fans will have an opportunity to influence the final results through public voting. Supporters can vote for Katumwa by sending “ZaJazz BF2” to (+27) 40439 for the Best International Jazz Album/Artist category and “ZaJazz BA8” to (+27) 40439 for the Best African Jazz Album/Artist category.
The Mzantsi Jazz Awards organisers said nominees are assessed based on creativity, technical excellence, innovation, contribution to jazz, popularity and lasting impact within the music industry.
The 10th edition of the awards will mark a decade of celebrating jazz while placing greater emphasis on promoting African jazz talent.
Speaking about the awards’ vision, organiser Mogezi Makalima said jazz deserved wider recognition for its cultural and artistic contribution.
Katumwe Journey
Katumwa is a self-taught saxophonist who made a breakthrough in music through his album Sinza in 2006 which featured on the BBC. He has performed alongside popular Ugandan musicians/outfits like the Afrigo Band, Eagle’s Production, Ndere troupe, Crossroads Band, Fred Sebatta, Paul Kafeero ,Juliana Kanyomozi,Mariam Ndagire, and Steve Jean. Katumwa has also worked in conjunction with actors like Alex Mukulu ,Kato Lubwama and Abbey Mukiibi
Katumwa’s musical journey started when he was 10 years old while at Rev. John Foundation School. He was involved in a lot in the school music activities and inter-school competitions. The school director taught him how to play different musical instruments like the guitar. He was actively involved in the school brass band while doing folk music on the side. He taught himself how to play the saxophone while still in Primary school. When he went to secondary he started studying music while playing in the Primary school Brass Band. This became a job for him and that is where he would get the money that would pay for his secondary School fees. He joined the “Waka Waka” band that used to play at the Sheraton Hotel. He also joined other bands like “Light Rays Band” that played at Grand Imperial and “Afri-Diamonds” that became Diamond Productions and consisted of the members of the Eagle’s Productions.
In early 2002, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study sound engineering. He recorded all his albums in the UK. “Sinza” was featured on “BBC focus on Africa” and opened doors for him in different countries. “Tumusinza” was the biggest hit on the album because its sound appealed to many different countries. He later recorded “Coming Home”. It earned him invitations to perform in Geneva, USA and South Africa.
In April 2016 Katumwa released “This is Me,” his tenth album after an extended period of not releasing music. During this period he spent time perfecting the album between hosting “Jazz With Isaiah,” his jazz TV program on Urban TV in Uganda, as well as hosting programming on the Ugandan radio station 106.1 Jazz FM.
In 2020 Katumwa organized a virtual concert for Uganda’s Independence Day, performing the song “Munu Uganda.” Later in 2021 Katumwa released the album “Dance Again.” Katumwa states that the album was inspired by the pandemic and his desire to return to the stage again and perform for live audiences, saying, “I missed being on stage with my audience dancing…and the question was, will we ever be able to Dance Again? This album is the answer to that question.
On May 10 of 2025 Katumwa participated in the inaugural Jazz in the Pearl Festival alongside Ugandan based musicians such as Kirk Whalum and Tshaka Mayanja . This was Isaiah’s first concert in Uganda after relocating to America. Later on July 20 of 2025 Katumwa held Isaiah Katumwa @30, a concert celebrating his 30th year as a Jazz Musician. The concert featured performances by musicians that accredit Katumwa as their mentor, including Micheal Ouma,Happy Kyazze ,Robert Aduda, Joseph Sax, Micheal Kitanda ,Mark Langa and Tshanka Myanja
“We recognise the role of jazz music as a genre that deserves special attention in the evolving South African music industry. The purpose is to celebrate, appreciate and venerate jazz as a musical form that not only entertains but also uplifts and heals the artist and the listener alike,” Makalima said.
Katumwa’s double nomination represents another major achievement for Uganda’s music industry and reinforces his position as one of Africa’s leading jazz ambassadors on the international stage.
