For a taste of a fuller musical experience
Be sure you are at Soweto Jazz Festival
THE SOWETO International Jazz Festival is a day away and planning the event has been an interesting ride for assistant producer Ernie Smith.
The recording artist and award winner has had the task of co-ordinating the line-up of artists for the four-day event.
“It’s not always the easiest thing because there are so many people that are deserving. I tried to pick artists that were relevant to what is happening now, who have an affiliation to Soweto and represent South Africa now – the country’s ideal in the storyline of their music,” Smith said.
He worked with a team to make the final decisions on the line-up which includes the Soweto Gospel Choir, Mi Casa, Cyril Neville, Khaya Mthethwa, Gordon Chambers and the Liberation Project.
He said choosing Soweto as the location for the event was to celebrate the place that had given rise to so many amazing people.
“It’s still a place where foreigners and locals can go experience such a unique culture and dynamic.
“I was there with Cyril Neville last year for an impromptu performance at Soweto Theatre and the people embraced us so much even Cyril was blown away by the spirit of the people and the passion that Africans have for music.”
He added that having the inaugural event this weekend meant they could share in the story of June 16, and highlight not only the victories, but also to remember the sacrifices of the youth.
Smith is part of a collaboration between The Star and the festival to find a talented singer who will also get the chance to record with him.
“For me it’s about seeing African talent get to the world stage not just as a support act.
My passion has always been to see people succeed and to go further than me and I can play a part in that and use whatever gifts and profiling I have as tools. I want to keep highlighting talent and give youth a chance to really go further.”
For the festival preparation Smith said it was a constant learning curve.
“Something of this magnitude you always think you have some kind of experience with getting artists together but you keep growing and realise there are so many more things where you have to delegate and do and bend your back for.
“From the beginning of the year the wheels started positively turning because of all the people that are putting their money where their mouth is.”
He said festival goers could expect an array of genres that would elevate their jazz experience.
“We want people to have a taste of a fuller musical experience from jazz to dance to reggae and a taste of the New Orleans scene. With pure jazz, people don’t tend to support it,” he said.
“We need to be broad in our thinking of how we portray it as jazz and soul hence having artists like Sho Madjozi, Lady Zamar and even reggae artists on the line-up.” Smith is working on a new collaborative music that he hopes will also be released in the US.