An insider’s look at hot musical acts
Bay keyboard musician Lubabalo Luzipho gives The Herald readers an insider’s look at some of the hot jazz acts at this year’s festival
HERE are the shows Luzipho, who is also widely known as Barlo, is hoping to catch:
1 BENJAMIN JEPHTA
The super-talented bass player, who is also the winner of the 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz is in two productions: the Benjamin Jephta Sestet and Akoustik Elektrik.
In the first production, Jephta is accompanied by the brilliant combo of Sisonke Xonti (sax), Marcus Wyatt (trumpet), Keenan Ahrends (guitar), Kyle Shepherd (piano) and Sphelelo Mazibuko (drums).
He will be playing with Xonti, Shepherd, Mazibuko and Wyatt again later in the week in an acoustic set, when they will be joined by Justin Bellairs (sax), Bokani Dyer (piano) and Eden Myrrh (voice).
Jitsvinger will be the MC who pulls it together.
The Benjamin Jephta Sestet is at the DSG Hall at 7.30pm tonight and Akoustik Elektrik is at the same venue at 7.30pm on Friday.
2 ASANDA BAM
I know this glorious voice from when Bam lived here in Port Elizabeth.
A former member of acclaimed gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration, this is the first time the soul singer is taking part in the festival.
In her sets over the weekend, she paid homage to the unforgettable Miriam Makeba (Honouring Mama Africa), showing her versatility in Afro-soul, jazz, rhythm and blues and sultry ballads.
3 KYLE SHEPHERD
Shepherd is a mate of mine and I am looking forward to listening to this keyboard master pianist perform again this year.
The Capetonian pianist, composer and band leader was the 2014 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz and pops up on various stages backing other musicians.
He will be sharing the top billing in the jazz programme when he partners with French-Israeli pianist Yaron Herman to explore the sonic range of the piano and its modern electronic successors.
Yaron Herman and Kyle Shepherd are at the DSG Hall at 5pm on Thursday.
4 DUMZA MASWANA
Dumisani Maswana, better known as Dumza, is performing along with Luzipho in the Dakawa Jazz Series, one of the flagship projects of the Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The Peddie-born singer-songwriter is a versatile musician who started singing at the age of nine and has performed for various church choirs in competitions and festivals.
This showcase of Eastern Cape jazz musicians runs over several days, starting this evening at the Dakawa Community Arts Centre and running until Saturday.
5 FLESH AND BLOOD
My fifth pick is in a different genre – theatre – and which I reckon is unmissable.
Written and directed by Mongezi Ncwadi, this Fringe two-hander tells the story of teen pregnancy, love and deceit.
Flesh and Blood is at the Rehearsal Room from Thursday to Saturday.
Luzipho is performing in the 2017 Dakawa Jazz Series at the Dakawa Community Arts Centre tonight and tomorrow.
He also is performing in Barlo And the Ministers at the Slip Stream venue in New Street over the same days but at different times.
See the NAF programme for more information.