Celebration of jazz welcomed
Local, international musos to reunite at Festival
The National Jazz Festival Makhanda will once again unite musicians from across the country and the world at SA’s definitive jazz gathering, live at the National Arts Festival.
Jazz has always been an essential part of the National Arts Festival and promises to be a big drawcard for audiences who have missed live shows over the past two years.
The lockdown years have been particularly hard on musicians who rely heavily on concerts and gigs, often at festivals, for their livelihoods.
National Arts Festival CEO, Monica Newton said: “It’ sa much-needed reunion for jazz musicians who will once again gather together to jam, collaborate and share.
“With a big focus on local talent and local jazz excellence, the 35th National Jazz Festival Makhanda has assembled an exciting programme of artists from across SA.
“Our celebration of jazz this year is bitter-sweet; as musicians once again take to the stage of the Festival to engage with live audiences for the first time in two years.
“We will also be remembering and celebrating lives lost during the pandemic.”
The Jazz Festival also includes an essential programme that is key to the development of professional jazz musicians in SA.
The National Youth Jazz Festival brings together talented, young musicians from across SA, and through the programme, some 300-plus young musicians from schools, universities and informal institutions around the country are able to meet and connect with successful and diverse jazz musicians.
These young musicians also audition for the National Youth Jazz Band – a springboard that has helped shape the careers of artists like Kesivan Naidoo, Siya Makuzeni, Tutu Puoane and Kyle Shepherd.
Many of these musicians in turn mentor younger musicians and so the circle continues.
National Jazz Festival Makhanda curator Alan Webster points out that the programme has a strong line-up of younger jazz artists.
Though the headlines are filled with young South African jazz artists, excellent musicians from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Romania, Britain and Spain will be collaborating with them for this very special celebration of jazz.
The National Arts Festival takes place in Makhanda from June 23 to July 3.