Two decades of jazz
CELEBRATE: BIGGEST JOY OF JAZZ YET
Acclaimed musicians make their way to Joburg.
Some of the world’s top musicians will descend on Johannesburg in September for the 2017 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which celebrates 20 years.
To mark the occasion, a dazzling line-up of both international and South African artists has been announced for the three-day event to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 28 to 30.
Organisers T Musicman, which is celebrating 30 years in the industry, said they had signed a wide spectrum of artists for this auspicious event.
Musicians of the magnitude of three-time Grammy Award-winner Branford Marsalis, sax maestro Joshua Redman and his quartet, The Clayton Brothers, Jeff and John, and the Power Trio of David Murray, Geri Allen and Terri Lyne Corrington from the US, will be descending on Johannesburg to ply their magic.
Event executive producer Peter Tladi said he is overjoyed and proud of this year’s artist line-up and overall festival offering. He believes it’s a line up befitting the unique occasion; and will project the meaning of the hard work and passion that went into building one of Africa’s most important jazz festivals.
Tladi said: “We, as festival producers, spend a great deal of time both here and overseas seeking out artists whom we believe will appeal to a wide spectrum of music fans.
“We want to present a diverse range of jazz styles inclusive of the giants of jazz and the upcoming young lions.
“There is something for everyone in this year’s line-up which, we believe, is international and truly inspirational.
“The event reinforces its status as South Africa’s foremost jazz festival, and one of the best on the African continent, thanks to our stellar line-up of musicians.”
Six-time Grammy Award-nominee Nnenna Freelon, who has earned a reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer, will be one of the stars on the opening night of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.
She will share the honours on the Dinaledi Stage with celebrat- ed South African jazz vocalist Tutu Puoane, Thandiswa Mazwai, Belede Jazz Project, which features Nduduzo Makhathini, Herbie Tsoaeli, Ayanda Sikade, Mthunzi Mvubu, and an interesting musical concept, Ramsey Lewis versus Roy Ayers.
Other big international names in the jazz world include the five time Grammy Award-winning American virtuoso bassist Christian McBride, one of the most recorded musicians of his generation, appearing on more than 300 recordings as a sideman, and also include the popular Mali superstar Salif Keita, Uganda’s Somi, and Lesotho’s Tsepo Tshola, Maleh and Bhudaza Mapefane.
South African greats billed for this year’s edition are legends Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa and Caiphus Semenya, with younger generation artists such as Brenda Mtambo, the Madiba Bay Jazz Orchestra, and 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year Benjamin Jephta, with special appearances by Phinda Matlala Mtya and Sisonke Xonthi.
Dutch superstar Peter Beets will be performing with his trio (Marius Beets and Gijs Dijkhuizen), featuring saxophonist and vocalist Alexander Beets.
Jazz pianist Beets has shared the stage with musicians that include Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater and George Coleman during his illustrious career.
American singer and songwriter Musiq Soulchild (Taalib Johnson) will also feature, dispensing his own brand of music that blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz and gospel fused with hiphop.
He has received a number of awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train.