Jazz festival joy at the feet of Mother Nature
Jamboree to feature SA and continent’s top music talent
FOLLOWING on the success of the 20th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in spring, event organisers T-Musicman have launched another annual jamboree to mark the company’s 30 years in the entertainment industry.
The inaugural Nubian Music Festival will launch on a high note with a dream line-up of some of the finest music talents in the country and on the continent. Caiphus Semenya, 78, needs no introduction as one of the elder statesmen of South African music.
His rich musical journey from dark alleys of Alexandra township to the bright lights of Los Angeles, where he worked with jazz luminaries and world-class US producers such as Quincy Jones, is well documented.
His most recent high-profile appearance was at the Joy of Jazz festival in September. It is therefore befitting that he will headline the Nubian festival tomorrow at the Eagle Waters Wildlife Resort in Hartbeespoort Dam. These scenic surroundings are situated about 80km from Joburg and rank among the favourite getaway spots of Gauteng pleasure seekers in particular and South African holidaymakers in general.
Hartbeespoort is also a favourite international tourism destination, thanks to its richly diverse fauna and flora as well as its geological and archaeological worth. It is part of the Magaliesberg biosphere which is the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site – bedrock of the richest fossil evidence of human origins in the world.
The pristine resort, where the festival will be held, is famous for its diverse antelope and bird species. The place is ideal for picnic-style family gatherings and live music. There are also play zones for children to keep them entertained during the festival.
Another big attraction on the bill, also a drawcard at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, is Tsepo Tshola. Fondly known as The Village Pope, the Lesotho-born crooner and former Sankomota frontman is expected to contribute his usual soulful and spiritual depth to proceedings.
Saxophonist, composer and singer Bhudaza Mapefane is another favourite this side of the Caledon River.
This Lesotho-born artist is also an alumnus of the Sankomota academy that was so astutely conducted by the late band leader and composer Frank Leepa. He subsequently performed and recorded with The Village Pope in the early 1990s after he left Sankomota.
He then toured South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Mauritius and France with Lucky Dube. Since the release of his debut and multiplatinum album, Bo-Mapefane (2003), Bhudaza’s star has soared to dizzying heights and has gained a reputation as one of the most sought-after stage performers on the continent.
For guitarist, composer and showman, Selaelo Selota, his participation in a festival that celebrates 30 years of music promoting by T-Musicman is not only an honour but an affirmation that he is now one of the respected and established acts in the country because of the exposure he received from Peter Tladi’s company.
“In 1998 my band Taola and I performed at a concert organised by T-Musicman in Rustenburg,” recalls Selota.
“It was our first major per- formance. The line-up was a combination of youth and experience as we shared the stage with artists such as Dr Philip Tabane and the late Oupa “Makhendlas” Mafokate.
“This festival has taken me back to those formative years and it has made me realise that as an event organiser, T-Musicman is an institution that has
WORLD-CLASS: Elder statesman of SA music Caiphus Semenya is among the luminaries on the bill.
dedicated itself to nurturing young talent and turning unknown acts into established musicians.”
Fresh from celebrating his 53th birthday on Tuesday, Ringo Madlingozi is another musical heavyweight who will add his unique romantic Xhosa repertoire to the line-up. It is 20 years since the release of his game-changing album, Sondelani (1997).
With over 10 albums released since, the Cape Townborn balladeer hasn’t slowed down. His music has become the soundtrack that has punctuated the romantic lives of a generation. Undoubtedly, he is guaranteed to steal the hearts of revellers at the festival.
Femi Koya is a Nigerian-born musician who has established himself on the South African scene as the foremost exponent of Afrobeat – a sound made famous by Fela Kuti, his idol and famous countryman. Festivalgoers should expect some Afro-beat gems from his sizzling 2015 album, Iba (Homage).
Just in case you are wondering whether it is a man’s world, this festival will also host some sparkling and explosive female vocal talent.
Sultry singer Wanda Baloyi, who turned professional in the mid-1990s with an all-girl trio named Ghetto-Luv and later became one of the most recognised female singers when she embarked on a solo career in the early 2000s, is expected to turn on her magic with her luscious blend of Afro-soul, R&B and hip hop, with songs from her latest album, Love and Life.
Brenda Mtambo has been a revelation since the release of her 2013 debut album, Inspired.
She has an amazing voice with a wide range and an alluring stage presence.
Another female powerhouse expected to set ablaze the stage is Nombulelo Maqetuka of Amacala fame.
Highway Jam will bring a touch of South African rock. The blues-rock/jazz-fusion group was established in Melville, Joburg, during the 1990s at the height of the grunge wave.
Newcomers Cheche Lebogo and Tumi Tladi will add a youthful verve to the proceedings.
T-Musicman chief executive Tladi says: “What makes this a truly special festival is how we’d be playing at the feet of Mother Nature.
“The scenic Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesburg mountain range will add to the ambiance of what promises to be a musical delight for the whole family including children from some of the country and the continent’s most accomplished artists.”
What makes this music event truly special is the chosen venue Festival promises to be a delight for whole family
Tickets for the event via Computicket cost R350, and R1 750 for VIP access. Entry is free for children under the age of 12.