Soloists are ready to shine at Artscape’s youth jazz festival

YOUNG jazz musicians entertained crowds at the Artscape Theatre as part of the Youth Jazz Festival which runs until July 15.

The festival celebrates 14 soloists who successfully auditioned to be included in the Artscape mentorship programme, which culminated with the jazz festival last weekend on June 15.

Structured to showcase young talent within the Western Cape, these musicians have the opportunity of working with five top South African jazz artists in a 10-week mentorship programme.

The workshops cover South African jazz, business management for musicians and techniques.

Time is also devoted to musicians who have their own compositions.

This year’s soloists line-up included vocalists Marzia Barry, 16, Anathi Mobo, 19, Dee Mayekane, 25, and Seth Grey, 20.

Rouzanna Coxson, 21, was on piano and instrumentalists included Taytam Davids, 19, Andréas Coxson, 17, and Kerwin Albertus, 16, on saxophone.

Bonga Masola, 20, was on trumpet and Ryan Truter, 19, on guitar. Bass players were Clayton Pretorius, 16, and Luke Verrezen, 19. Joshua Klein, 18, and Timothy Fortes, 19 were on drums.

The young musicians are studying at various Cape music institutions and high schools, including the South African College of Music, Cape Town Music Academy, Cape Music Institute, St Joseph’s Marists College and Sacs, Bergvliet, Steenberg, Groote Schuur and Outeniqua High School.

Musical director Amanda Tiffin said: “For the third year, this festival has presented 100% South African jazz without repeating a single song – that’s how much great South African jazz there is for our youngsters to choose from.

“We have included songs by Cape jazz giants, Robbie Jansen, Victor Ntoni and Hilton Schilder, vocalists Melanie Scholtz, Nomfundo Xaluva and Jonathan Butler.

“A special tribute will be paid to Bra Hugh Masekela and to a number of Cape Town artists,” she said.

Artscape Theatre chief executive Marlene le Roux, said: “Since the Youth Jazz Festival was established in 2003, the focus of the programme has remained dedicated to providing skills development within the jazz genre to foster the investment of cultural democratisation of our country.

These young jazz musicians take the experience forward into their careers and educate others in the process,” she said.

Pictures: JEFFREY ABRAHAMS VOICING OUT: The Youth Jazz Festival took place at the Artscape Theatre this past weekend. Pictured are vocalists Seth Grey, mentor Amanda Tiffin, Marzia Barry, Anathi Mobo, Dee Mayekane and brass mentor Mandisi Dyantyis.

IN TUNE: On stage at the Youth Jazz Festival at the Artscape last Friday. The event was part of the Artscape’s annual Youth Month celebrations. From left Bonga Masola, Mandisi Dyantyis, Kerwin Albertus and Andreas Coxson.