Arts Review

Written by: Tiisetso Tlelima

Catch accomplished composer and trombonist Jonas Gwangwa, guitarist Jimmy Dludlu, songwriter and poet Vusi Mahlasela, Nigerian folk muso Kúnlé Ayo and many more South African and international jazz giants as Joy Of Jazz celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend. Newtown will be buzzing with street buskers, art craft markets and exhilarating musical performances from all over the world. “Jazz is such a diverse genre and Joy of Jazz prides itself on having something for everyone,” explains Joy Of Jazz publicist, Janine Walker. “The Dinaledi stage is home to smooth jazz; Bassline is straight ahead or serious jazz; Mbira is world music and the Market Theatre is vocal and R&B.;”

In the past 10 years the festival has grown tremendously from accommodating 2000 visitors in its first year to attracting 20000 jazz music fanatics in 2008. Over the years Standard Bank in conjunction with promoters T Musicman have brought a diverse group of musicians to our shores, namely, Keiko Matsui, Joe Sample, Earl Klugh, Dave Koz, Jamie Callum, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela and artists from around the globe. However, the festival has also consistently showcased the country’s own home-grown talent including Concord Nkabinde, Jimmy Dludlu, Shannon Mowday, Abigail Khubeka and many more. In recent years musicians from other African countries such as Nigeria’s Kúnlé Ayo, Lagbaja and Asa; Swaziland’s Bholoja; Zimbabwean Sam Mtukudzi with Max Wild; Kenya’s Valerie Kimani and the DRC’s Afro Fiesta have also featured in the festival. “In this way the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has contributed to the cultural exchange between artists and many international performers have met their local counterparts and subsequently collaborated on various projects,” says Janine.

This year music lovers can expect to see Switzerland’s Grammy award-winning Andreas Vollenweider collaborating with Pops Mohamed; world renowned trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; US vocalist Phil Perry; Jonas Gwangwa, Jimmy Dludlu, Vusi Mahlasela; Brian Thusi; Kúnlé Ayo, Judith Sephuma and more. In addition two artists who appeared at the first festival – New York pianist Bob Baldwin and American smooth jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows – are back for the 10th anniversary celebration.

“Ten years of Jazz in Johannesburg is a significant milestone, and this year promises jazz lovers a weekend to remember,” says Director of Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank, Clement Motale. “Our continued support for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has seen this prominent social music fixture grow in stature each year, and on the occasion of our 10th anniversary we look forward to celebrating a rich and warm blend of African and international jazz in the heart of Johannesburg, bringing jazz lovers together in a truly united and global celebration of jazz and its heritage.”

The festival is not just fun and games, but has a developmental angle as well. Joy of Jazz has seen a phenomenal growth in the number of developing jazz artists who have been given exposure and a platform to perform before discerning audiences. “While upcoming bands have been performing at the event since 2000, the quality over the years has improved,” says Janine. “A formal relationship was established with the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Puisano project in 2008 to allow 10 upcoming bands to appear on both the main stages as well as the fringe venues.”

The hit musical stage show Crazy For Jazz: Our Journey Through Music - an exciting programme that exposes youngsters to the magic and history of South African jazz – is also included in the festival programme this year. Aimed at high schools, Crazy For Jazz: Our Journey Through Music runs in Newtown from Monday to Friday, August 24 to 28 with two shows daily as part of the build-up towards the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.

Upcoming musicians will also have an opportunity to participate in development workshops where international artists will teach them about the intricacies of the craft and a five-day programme for aspiring and practising women music writers and journalists will also be held. A first for the festival is the exchange programme between Joy of Jazz and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Vocalist Arlee Leonard is appearing in Newtown as part of the exchange and a South African artist still to be announced will be winging their way to the US next year.

Crazy For Jazz will be showcased at the Lab in Newtown Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for two shows daily.

On Thursday August 27 from 11am to 1.30pm it will take place at the following venues:

• Music Academy of Gauteng (Daveyton) - Ingrid Jensen
• South West Gauteng College (Soweto) - Andreas Vollenweider
• Moses Molelekwa Artist Foundation (Tembisa) - Room 11
• Central Johannesburg College (Johannesburg Central) – Marion Meadows and Bob Baldwin
• Beverly Hills (Sedibeng - Vereeniging) - Arlee Leonard
• Tshwane University of Technology (Tshwane) – Sumrrá

Tickets for Joy Of Jazz are available at computicket.

For more information on the line-up and ticket prices go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za