New jazz acts for festival
EIGHT new acts have been added to the 19th annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival line-up.
Festival organiser espAfrika’s passion for jazz is rooted in Africa, but this year’s line-up lights up the globe, embracing everything from swing-bop to neo-soul, hip hop, Afro soul and Zulu blues.
Director Billy Domingo is enthusiastic about the programme, saying: “Great thought has been given to the nuances of the greater jazz form. This is reflected in the variety of acts. I am delighted that our steadfast festival-goers, as well as those attending for the first time, have such a wealth of talent from which to create their personal musical experiences.”
Here are some of the acts to look forward to:
Incognito (UK). Their love for funky jazz turned their acid jazz repertoire into epic anthems. Frontman Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick leads this cool ensemble, which has embarked on numerous fresh directions over time, producing winning material and unforgettable live shows. Expect a slick set chock-a-bloc with party spinners and smooth fusion.
Simphiwe Dana’s (SA) eye-catching imagery may project a fragility and beauty specific to this global chart-topper, but it’s her signature sound that confirms her status. Her blend of jazzy Afro soul with traditional music is utterly distinctive.
Radiating South African heritage sounds and universal jazz influences, Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane (SA), explores the repertoires of Bheki Mseleku, Andile Yenana and Moses Molelekwa along with his Zulu-styled blues and neo-soul, swing-bop and hip hop inflections and will reinforce the tones of Africa at the festival.
There’s an intensity to Manny Walters (SA) that’s rooted in the legacy of rhythm ’n’ blues, and enhanced by modern-day soul rock nuances. This local singer-songwriter and semi-acoustic guitarist delivers a focused set of works that draws on the seminal sounds of Richie Havens, Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman and Curtis Mayfield. Manny’s stand-out gritty voice steers his electric rhythm ’n’ blues/alt soul playlist with socially conscious lyricism and a gravitas that reels in the listener.
And finally as a teaser, The Surge (SA/Russia/Slovakia/Morocco/ USA/ Kyrgyzstan) is a product of OneBeat, an incubator for social entrepreneurship where innovative musicians launch collaborations designed to make a positive impact.
An array of rare instruments also makes this Surge gig definitely one to head to. Trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni lends his weight to the outfit, while Abbay Misganaw, aka Haile Supreme, is a Washington DC-based rapper and member of Congo Sanchez – a hip hop group that synthesises reggae, dub and Latin funk.
Mehdi Nassouli is a guembri player with a passion for preserving Moroccan music who’s devoted to studying deqqa, a traditional art form from Taroudant.
Jan Kruzliak is a Bratislava-based violinist. His group La3noCubano performed free concerts in refugee camps.
Sergey Balashov is a drummer from Moscow specialising in improvisation.
Aisaana Omorova has studied the instruments of Kyrgyzstan (komuz, jaw harp and choor).
Jeremy Thal, co-founder and artistic director of Found Sound Nation, is a horn player and educator. A unified excursion into the unknown.
The 19th Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place on March 23 and 24 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Day passes are still available at www.computicket.com at R750 a person a day.
Corporate hospitality packages are available for the festival.
To book your package or for more information, call Samantha on 021 671 0506 or e-mail hospitality@ espafrika.com
Independent Media is one of the official sponsors of the festival. The others are The Department of Arts and Culture; host city, City of Cape Town; and South African Tourism, Amstel, Johnny Walker and Peninsula Beverages.