Free Workshops at Joy of Jazz!
Jazz Heads take note – we’ve been meaning to give you the “heads up” on this for ages and hope we’re not too late and that there is still space in the free workshops. Some of the world’s top jazz masters, appearing at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, will run free workshops teaching youngsters and musicians the intricacies of the craft.
The jazz stars are the collective winners of 17 Grammy Awards, the world-renowned Count Basie Orchestra; trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis from the world famous Marsalis family of New Orleans,; revolutionary trip hop French band No Jazz; the Clarke/Duke Project which features bassist Stanley Clarke and pianist George Duke; Israel’s Common Bond and local saxophonist Shannon Mowday.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Standard Bank and Gwen Ansell, will also be offering a week-long practical workshop for women arts writers.
The annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival runs in a selection of Newtown venues from Thursday, 23 August to Saturday, 25 August.
Mandie van der Spuy, head of arts sponsorship at Standard Bank explains the rationale behind the Joy of Jazz workshops: “The Festival not only offers local jazz lovers the best of international and African jazz, it also hopes to give something back. The information and knowledge that these musical giants share during the workshops goes a long way in affirming and mentoring young South African musicians and hopefully sees to the success of the industry in years to come.”
The Lady Porcupine writing course, which runs from August 20 to 24 in Newtown, will be run by Gwen Ansell, music/jazz writer and journalism trainer. The week-long course is offered at a fee of R1500 which covers all teaching and materials. Fifteen scholarships will be made available to women candidates who meet the course entry requirements.
Music workshops:
Thursday August 23 10.30am to 2.30pm
Performers: George Duke & Stanley Clarke
Theme: Electric Piano & Synthesiser/Bassline
Venue: South West Gauteng College
Performers: The Count Basie Orchestra
Theme: Big bands
Venue: Music Academy of Gauteng
Performers: No Jazz
Theme: Slam Jazz
Venue: Central Johannesburg College
Performer: Delfeayo Marsalis
Theme: Trombone and performance techniques
Venue: Tshwane University
Performer: Common Bond
Theme: Jam session
Venue: Vaal University
Monday August 20 to 24 10am to 5pm
Performers: Shannon Mowday
Theme: Composition & Performance Techniques
Venue: Bassline and other venues
For more information contact Mojalefa at T Musicman on 011 326 0141 or email ar@tmusicman.co.za. More details on the Gwen Ansell’s Lady Porcupine jazz writing course, Shannon Mowday and all other workshops on http://www.standardbankjazz.co.za/
