Sharing the joy of jazz

Alistair Izobell will be performing at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival tonight. He chatted to Orielle Berry.

SO MUCH has been written about you – an illustrious career, a multi-talented artist, more than an entertainer, creating magic on the stage. Please tell us something we may not know about you in terms of your life on stage? That question always gets me thinking hard, because there is not much I have hidden from my audience over the years about or of me. That’s why I have such a tangible and real relationship with my loyal supporters. I have, though, many years ago, stopped chasing the dream and just love now to create new projects and watch young artists in my space grow into what they supposed to become. Who is the man behind Alistair Izobell? I am a dad, husband, son, friend and normal guy with much of the same challenges as others, but wake up daily with the joy of knowing that there are great possibilities that await me. I am passionate about everything in my life and in my space, and have a goal every day to contribute to the betterment of someone who needs help on this journey. Tell of your journey into the world of music and showbiz. The journey started 32 years ago at the Baxter Theatre, with David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen. D6 the musical was the start and I guess everything from there was preordained and decided long before I arrived. I went on to meet and work with incredible artists, veterans, legends and wonderful people. By 12, I was singing with Stevie Wonder in Tokyo, at 17 playing Ritchie Valens in the awardwinning musical The Buddy Holly Story and, in my 20s, I won the ... prestigious Sir Laurence Olivier Award for best actor in a musical in London. Many albums later, I started taking care of young singers and helping their careers, Edith Plaaitjies (2018 Fleur du Cap winner) being one of them. Without knowing it, I became a producer of major events in Cape Town and starting directing and writing my own work at various theatres, to soldout houses. Now I am basking in the joy of doing what I do and surrounded by talent and love daily. You are truly a man of the Cape. What is it about Cape Town that inspires you? I think the second you are born and your soul smells the soil of Africa and this city ... It cannot leave your system. I am pulsed and know that my heartbeat is because I get to work in this amazing town of ours, surrounded by the aesthetic beauty we have that costs us nothing to enjoy, to the colourful humans and the energy of this city. Our stories are rich and beautiful and celebratory ... What is there not to like or be inspired by? What is it about the Mother City that doesn’t please you? I wish that we would get to a place where we do not have people living in harsh and horrid conditions, and that their socioeconomic situations would change so that we could have young people thriving to become the best versions of themselves. How would you describe your style of music? I do not have a style. I believe that music is the common language of all mankind and so it is with joy that I write and perform. What are some of the highlights of your career? All I have done. Any lows? I dont have any ... They were all lessons. You are obviously an inspiration to many but have also performed with some of the leading lights of the industry. Who have been your greatest influences and why? Every single one that I have had the honour to work with has added some kind of value to my journey – whether a conversation or a vocal lesson, or a chord, these were all part of my many influences. Please tell us about your performance at the jazz festival tonight? Are there surprises in store for the audience? It would not be a surprise if I told you now, would it? I am just going to do exactly what I have for three decades and that is perform for all I am worth, and make my audience’s soul smile. I have some wonderful and talented friends joining me, like Sasha Lee Davids, Elwira Standilli, Steh Mpufe and my awesome eightpiece band – and we intend to have an absolute jol. Which performances of yours stand out over the years, above the rest and why? I really have none, as every single one comes with the huge reponsibility of making people happy, so that is my only objective – to serve my audience. What makes you tick? When people are determined to be happy and smile, and understand that they are in control of their own joy and the space around them. I need to be around happy, positive people. Can you give us a message for your many fans? I am grateful that I get to serve you with my work, music talent and soul. I am very blessed to be loved by you and thank you for allowing me into your space. Be happy and present in your every moment and remember that life is a journey and not a destination.

Alastair Izobell performs after midnight on the Basil Manenberg Coetzee stage. For more details about his performance, go to www.capetownjazzfest.com