Joy of Jazz brings the globe together
THIS year marks a very special year for the Joy of Jazz music festival which is celebrating 20 years since it first came to life.
For this year’s edition, the music festival has lined up a star-studded list of musos including Abdullah Ibrahim, Thandiswa Mazwai, Selaelo Selota and Mali superstar Salif Keita.
The list was announced at Monte Casino in Fourways.
Guests were first treated to a performance by the Field Band Foundation SA under the stars. The vivacious young instrumental band tantalised with modernised old-school jams. And their moves were enough to set the mood.
In keeping with the theme, every attendee was handed a fedora hat, from which you could tell how some of the music legends who were present, such as Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Selaelo Selota and Bhudaza Mapefane, enjoyed rocking.
After all the showcasing, it was time to move to the conference room, which was classically transformed into a jazz lounge. And with the many icons in the room, everything just felt right. Even for a youngster like myself.
Bob Mabena was the MC for the night and quipped that he was still a Kaya FM employee (and should be addressed as such). It was recently announced that he would be leaving the station for Given Mkhari’s MSG Afrika.
During the evening, executive producer Peter Tladi received a standing ovation and was showered with words of gratitude for his hard work in bringing the world together through the Joy of Jazz.
Tladi told the enthusiastic crowd: “We, as festival producers, spend a great deal of time both here and overseas seeking out artists whom we believe will appeal to a wide spectrum of music fans.
“We want to present a diverse range of jazz styles inclusive of the giants of jazz and the upcoming young lions.
“There is something for everyone in this year’s line-up, which we believe is international and truly inspirational,” he said, adding that the event reinforced its status as South Africa’s foremost jazz festival and one of the best on the African continent.
The Joy of Jazz will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 28 to 30.