Radio Africa Group has once again demonstrated the powerful role African radio networks can play in shaping live entertainment and cultural experiences, after successfully hosting Grammy-winning saxophonist Kenny G for a sold-out jazz concert in Nairobi.

Radio Africa Group is a fast growing and dynamic media company based in Kenya consisting of 6 national radio stations, and other media institutions.

The concert, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Amphitheatre on September 27, was the centerpiece of Radio Africa’s premium events brand — a growing extension of how radio stations on the continent are deepening audience engagement beyond the airwaves.

When the lights dimmed and Kenny G’s smooth saxophone filled the 3,000-seat venue, it marked not just a musical high, but a broadcasting milestone. For Somoina Kimojino, General Manager for Events at Radio Africa Group, the moment was the result of nearly a year of strategic planning, sleepless nights, and cross-continental coordination.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” she said. “This wasn’t just about music. It was about showing what African media can achieve when radio, events, and culture work together.”

Themed “Soul in Every Touch of Blue,” the concert blended elegance and intimacy, with guests dressed in shades of blue to honor jazz’s deep emotional heritage. Behind the spectacle lay Radio Africa’s broader vision — to use its radio brands and platforms as engines for cultural exchange and live experiences.

According to Kimojino, securing Kenny G was no small feat. Negotiations began early in 2024 and required designing a regional concert circuit across Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa to make the deal viable. Once confirmed, the group’s in-house production and radio marketing teams collaborated to create what became one of the most talked-about jazz events in East Africa’s recent history.

“Radio Africa’s stations gave this concert its heartbeat,” Kimojino explained. “From Classic 105 to Kiss FM, the buildup on air created a sense of national anticipation — radio made the event a shared experience long before the first note was played.”

Despite last-minute hurdles — from airline cancellations to unexpected venue clashes — the concert went off flawlessly. Local stars Kato Change and Coster Ojwang added an African flavor, reminding audiences of jazz’s roots on the continent.

For many, the night symbolized how African radio houses like Radio Africa Group are transforming from traditional broadcasters into multimedia culture hubs, uniting music, storytelling, and live performance.

As Kenny G closed with his timeless hit Songbird, the applause echoed not just for the artist, but for a media brand proving that African radio can orchestrate world-class experiences.

And for Radio Africa, this is just the beginning. The company now plans to make its “One Night Only” concert series an annual celebration of jazz excellence — and, as Kimojino hints, the next act will be “one of Africa’s great jazz players.”

“We’ve raised the bar,” she said with a smile. “Now, African radio must keep the rhythm going.”