CT Jazz Festival hailed a success
THE 19th annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival director and chief operating officer at espAfrika, Billy Domingo, has hailed the event at the weekend a success, saying he was very proud to showcase an all-star female band led by Simphiwe Dana in the midst of global rights awareness movements, such as the #MeToo campaign.
Domingo said the festival’s reputation of being one of the top five events in the world was not built on just one or two big acts, but “was established through the experience we present – giving you the opportunity to safely explore and discern your own preferences”.
Domingo said many people spent countless hours making the festival possible year after year.
“Thank you to our loyal fan base, festinos, for joining us on this journey.”
The festival highlighted one of the grandest jazz line-ups for a crowd of more than 30 000 people at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Performances by Dana, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amanda Black, Louis Moholo-Moholo, The Boys Doin’ It, Tank and The Bangas, Black Motion, Mi Casa, The Soil, Masego, Nicholas Payton, Manny Walters and Mulatu Astatke saw the crowds on their feet.
Another highlight was the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was warmly welcomed by the crowds.
Dana said her highlight of the night was Siwiliwili, a song (originally by Mbongeni Ngema) she performed with her all-female band at the Kippies stage.
“I think we made history on the stage. Do you know I actually almost fainted three times on stage because everything was so intense. I think it was amazing.”
Oliver Mtukudzi, who featured in a tribute to Hugh Masekela, said they were honouring Bra Hugh and were coming up with the songs he did to inspire people.
Souki Mehdaoui, a filmmaker and manager of The Surge, a group that consists of artists from South Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Russia, Slovakia, Ethiopia and the US, said the group performed together for the first time after six months and “it was surging (fire)!”.
Mandla Mlangeni, a vocalist from The Surge, said the band concentrated on power and energy for the audience, the “thrill of actually playing each member’s personality”.
Sipho Hotstix Mabuse played with the Liberation Project and dedicated Bob Marley’s Redemption Song to fallen greats such as Steve Biko, Miriam Makeba and Masekela.
“The music is supposed to be at the forefront of enjoyment and liberation in this country,” he said.