Weekend of all that jazz and more
Fans can expect a mega-feast of live performances with genres ranging from fusion to funk
A TOTAL of nine live performances featuring 29 musicians on one stage over four days. This was unimaginable 24 years ago.
Welcome to this year’s 24th Jazzathon being celebrated this weekend with more than 280 musicians on stage at The V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre, all free of charge, performing continuously from 1pm until 8pm, daily.
Festival director Craig Parks says the event, which draws thousands every day, is currently in full swing until Sunday.
“There’s a minimum of eight different bands per day performing in a variety of 30 different acts playing different styles of jazz from mainstream to fusion to funk and it’s mostly, at least 90%, South African.
“To add spice, Danish performer
Ida Gormsen will also be joining the line-up,” says Parks
Over the years, adds Parks, “the Jazzathon has introduced Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathan Rubain, Judith Sephuma, Cameron Ward and many musicians, to Cape Town, South Africa and in turn the rest of the world from this very platform.”
Known as the People’s Festival, the line-up this year includes Benjamin Jephta (visiting his hometown all the way from the US), Camillo Lombard, Allou April, Sammy Webber, Celeste Williams, Varonica Meyer, Ashanti, Cameron Ward, Jason Ward and a few surprise artists.
New, promising bands making their debut appearances include Jitsvinger, Auriol Hays, The Conquerors, Ocean’s Riff, Blastards, Soul Reflection, Deep Soul, Relentless, Latosh, Nirvana, Fusion
Rhythm, The Trio Band, The Perfect Fifth and The Community Youth Orchestra, a 40-piece orchestra.
Sunday will feature a mix of gospel and jazz while today will be dedicated to female performers, mentored by the legendary Sophia Foster.
Among the performers taking to the stage will be Hannah Kay, Hunter Rose, Lauren Hendricks, Jodi Fredericks, Kara Snethlage, Chante Philips and Nobuhle Ashanti.
The Cape Town Jazzathon is hosted by JCQ Productions and is sponsored by the City of Cape Town, V&A Waterfront, Department of Arts and Culture and Par Kan Foundation.
This epic event relies solely on sponsorship and the generosity of musicians and crew who give of their time to support and make the festival a success.