Hitting the RIGHT NOTE
Jazz music, born in the Americas in the early 20th century, has a rich artistic heritage. It is the product of a meeting of cultures and a universal language that fast became a powerful vessel for expression around the world. It is hard to describe the so
The 2017 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz had a launch earlier this year where – amongst flash mobs, fireworks, brass bands and bubbles – jazz lovers and musicians celebrated that 2017 will mark the festival’s 20th anniversary. If you’re a lover of smooth jazz riffs and sultry, sexy blues, I would recommend you pencil in this auspicious celebration of music which will run from 28th to 30th September at the Sandton Convention Centre, and promises to be better than ever. Here’s why:
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
Since its humble beginnings 20 years ago in Pretoria, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival has grown in leaps and bounds. Attracting visitors from around the world, as well as radio stations from the United States, United Kingdom and Germany, the festival has become an international event and is doing wonders for the local music scene, as well as the country’s economy. Attracting over 50 local and international musicians and artists and over 25,000 visitors, it just keeps getting bigger – and better. Celebrating both established and developing artists and offering a platform for young talent, the festival, true to its name, pays homage to the real joy of jazz. This year, the festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary with four stages – Dinaledi, Conga, Mbira and Diphala – and over 30 starstudded performances.
AN EXCEPTIONAL LINE-UP T-Musicman’s Peter Tladi, the executive producer of the event, believes that this is the best line-up yet and will show the hard work and passion that has gone into building South Africa’s oldest jazz festival. “We, as festival producers, spend a great deal of time both here and overseas seeking out artists who we believe will appeal to a wide spectrum of music fans. We want to present a diverse range of jazz styles, including both the giants of jazz and the upcoming young lions,” Tladi says. “There is something for everyone in this year’s line-up which, we believe, is of an international standard 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.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Opening night is set to enthral with American jazz singer, composer, producer and six-time Grammy Award nominee, Nnenna Freelon, wowing audiences from the Dinaledi Stage. This jazz icon will be joined by celebrated local jazz vocalists, Tutu Puoane, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers, and the Belede Jazz Project featuring Nduduzo Makhathini, Herbie Tsoaeli, Ayanda Sikade and Mthunzi Mvubu. A night to remember indeed, and the perfect way to open this auspicious occasion!
A range of well-known South African greats will feature in the festival this year, each with a huge part to play in paving the way for the development of jazz in the country. Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Caiphus Semenya, and guitarist, composer, producer and teacher Selaelo Selota will be taking to the stage and are not to be missed.
Other local performances include acts by: the charismatic and highly-skilled Benjamin Jephta (Standard Bank Jazz Award winner), who has solidified his place as one of South Africa’s premier jazz double bass and electric bass players; Zoe Modiga (Samro Overseas Scholarship winner); the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band; and the great gravel-voiced,
afro-soul singer, Brenda Mtambo. Special guest appearances will be made by afro-jazz singer, Phinda Mtya-Matlala, and saxophonist, Sisonke Xonthi.
That’s not all. Threetime Grammy Award winner, saxophonist and composer, Branford Marsalis, considered to be “arguably the most respected living US jazz instrumentalist” will take to the stage at this year’s event and is guaranteed to wow visitors.
Also included are: sax maestro Joshua Redman accompanied by his quartet; the MAC Power Trio with Geri Allen, David Murray and Terri Lyne Carrington from the United States; international jazz
muso Christian McBride; popular Mali star Salif Keita; and American singer and songwriter, Musiq Soulchild, with his distinctive composite of jazz, gospel, R&B, funk and blues fused with hip-hop.
Sounds like this year’s festival is hitting all the right notes. Jazzlovers and cultural aficionados alike are set to be blown away by an incredible weekend of soul, blues, jazz and amazing talent. You don’t want to miss this.
Tickets are on sale from Computicket: R700 for the opening night, R795 for a day pass, and R1,350 for a two-day pass. For more information, visit www.joyofjazz.co.za.