A comfortable crowd attended an intimate performance by Jazz Ladies Christine Kamau and Valerie Kimani in Nairobi last night, where the atmosphere was definitely warmer than the dark storm outside.

Sponsored by Sierra, Kamau – who is launching her album at the Michael Joseph centre tonight – connected with the crowd and affirmed her growing status in Nairobi’s jazz arena.

On her prized music maker, a saxophone, Christine easily bonded with the audience for a solid one and half hours, but still saving some of the best for tonight’s jazzy launch.

Despite the high anticipation, the duo did not sing together at the Yaya Sierra Lounge.

A scarce and much sought after Valerie Kimani came on next in a flowing floral gown, complete with a brown leather belt revealing her contours.

She mostly performed renditions of popular blues tracks such as Hit the Road Jack and the well known Besame Mucho.

As the music flowed freely, so did delectable bitings in the form of prawns, fish fingers, soft crunchy meat pies, courtesy of the establishment.

This is the third edition of the Sierra Jazz concert which has served up talents like Gerard Albright and Jonathan Butler.

Photos by Paul Munene, see more from the event here…