Excitement builds for big jazz fest
International and local line-up announced for ‘Africa’s grandest gathering’
THE DIRECTOR of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Billy Domingo, knew the suspense was killing the crowd.
He stood behind a podium at Katzy’s in Rosebank, Joburg, and said all but what everyone came to hear: who would be performing at next year’s festival.
When the names were finally announced, there was applause and gasps. Grammy-nominated US soul singer Angie Stone, Lizz Wright, Jazz Attack and Meshell Ndegeocello are coming to South Africa in April.
Also announced were Grammy-nominated jack swing trio SWV (US), threetime solo bassist award-winner Victor Wooten (US), Grammy-nominated afro-blues duo Amadou & Mariam (Mali), and instrumental jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD (Canada).
Also on the list are tenor saxophonist Mark Turner (US); santoor and classical artist Rahul Sharma (India), performing with jazz saxophonist George Brooks (US); and jazz pianist Roberto SOLO Fonseca (Cuba).
The 17th edition of the festival has 68 percent of its corporate hospitality tickets sold – before the big announcement was made yesterday afternoon.
The South African artists who will be sharing the stage on April 1 and 2 include award-winning jazz pianist Afrika Mkhize, featuring Eddie Parker (SA/UK); three-time South African Music Award (Sama) winners Mafikizolo, featuring Tsepo Tshola; phenomenon Nathi, with special guest Vusi Nova; and rising songbird Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni. Also listed is Samanominated pop sensation Muzart, who will be performing with award-winning hip hop artist Khuli Chana; leading jazz bassist Benjamin Jephta Quintet; Mbokodo Award Women in Jazz winner Thandi Ntuli; Cape Town favourites Top-Dog; as well as Tumi Mogorosi and Project ELO.
Before Domingo announced the acts, he revealed that last year the festival hosted 37 000 people.
“We are proud to create an annual event that has the ability to speak to every demographic and music-lover on the continent.
“Africa’s grandest gathering is an extraordinary experience and we will continue to provide our audience with just that. Our main objective is to create a platform where known and sometimes unknown artists share the stage.”
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said the festival had become an institution that broke down barriers and gave people the opportunity to celebrate their shared love of music together.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said: “Jazz is a means with which we tell our stories. We are a nation who loves jazz music, and our love of jazz is striving for the interplay of individuality with the collective.”
The festival’s second artist announcement will be on November 24.
Ticket are R895 for a weekend pass (two days) and R590 for a day pass.
Limited Rosies Stage tickets cost R30 a performance and will be available on www.computicket.com from December 7.