Mark Langa, the chemist who found his formula in jazz

As Uganda gears up to celebrate one of its most iconic musicians, Isaiah Katumwa, on Sunday, July 20th at the Kampala Serena Hotel, the spotlight isn’t only on the jazz maestro himself it is on a night poised to blend legacy with fresh brilliance. 

In an exciting partnership with New Vision, this milestone event brings together some of Uganda’s most gifted young musicians and jazz maestros for what promises to be an unforgettable showcase of sound, soul, and sophistication.

One such star player is Mark Langa, one of the saxophonists who were inspired by Katumwa. Watching him play as part of an ensemble gives you the impression that he is a natural leader, who is not domineering.

Put him in any brass section of the band, and he will naturally lead. For Langa, the saxophone was not just an instrument, it was a calling.

“I remember hearing Kenny G for the first time as a kid and thinking, this is it. This is what I want to do,” he says.

Though he studied industrial chemistry, music won him over.

“Not long after graduating, I was earning from gigs the same way my friends were earning from office jobs. That is when I knew music was not just my passion, but my path,” Langa says.

He has been playing jazz for over 17 years, switching seamlessly between saxophone, flute and clarinet.

Langa is known for his smooth jazz style, a melodic, emotive approach that has earned him a loyal fanbase and multiple features on the local scene. Now, as he prepares to share the stage with his longtime inspiration, Katumwa, Langa could not be more thrilled.

“Isaiah is more than a musician. He is a movement. What I admire most is his heart for young talent. On Sunday, it will not just be about jazz. It will be about legacy, mentorship and future sounds coming alive,” Langa envisions.

Tickets are available at select Shell Petrol Stations, Quick Pick Supermarkets and at the New Vision head office.