Youthful twist to Edujazz

JUST a year younger than the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), which turns 20 this year, the Sekunjalo Edujazz Band has been entertaining music lovers.

Nineteen years ago, Edujazz programme director Donovan Witten shared a vision with Dr Iqbal Survé, founder of Sekunjalo Investment Group, to promote the development of jazz music in township school on the Cape Flats.

They established the Sekunjalo Edujazz Project and over the past two decades, the foundation has hosted the annual Sekunjalo Edujazz Concert around Cape Town.

The concert is the main platform for young music students to share a stage with established jazz artists in Cape Town and get a taste of what it takes to make it on the professional stage.

This year, the Edujazz Big Band, will be under the direction of vocalist/panist Amanda Tiffin.

She was head of jazz singing at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town and is now heading up its department of jazz studies.

The musicians in the Edujazz Big Band are Anathi Mobo (vocals), Shaw Komori (trumpet 1), Bonga Masola (trumpet 2), Imke Muhr (trombone), Ofentse Moshwetsi (alto sax), Jesse Julies (tenor sax and vocals), Georgia Jones (baritone sax), Rouzanna Coxson (piano), Stephen De Souza (bass), Lilavan Gangen (drums) and Ryan Truter (Guitar).

■ The Sekunjalo Edujazz Band will play on the second day of the #CTIJF, March 30. Book at www. computicket.com