Joy of Jazz line up announced
Linda has been jazzing it up all over Jozi, she went to the Joy of Jazz media conference to find out for you, darling Representers, just what we’ll be tapping our feet to this year. PR at end.
I admit, I was star-struck when I saw Miriam Makeba – Mama Africa no less – chilling on the couch – as I walked into the launch of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz last week. I might have even let out an involuntary “oooh” when my favourite musical couple Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya walked in, followed by the legendary Jonas Gwangwa. Here’s the great news! All of the above will be performing at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which is set to take place from 23 to 25 August in Newtown.
This year’s line-up sounds absolutely smashing. It consists of Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, as I’ve mentioned, AND George Duke, The Count Basie Orchestra, Dorothy Masuka, another fine Marsalis brother – the trombonist Delfeayo (big brother Branford Marsalis performed at last year’s Joy of Jazz). Pieces of a Dream and Kunle Ayo will also be here. The Moreira Project will be showing their stuff, as well as newcomer and SAMA winner Siphokazi (she was at the launch and I was struck by how tall and graceful she is). Nokukhanya, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Ray Phiri and Stimela, Steve Dyer, and Thandie Klaasen will also be holding it down. In addition, there will be workshops for emerging artists and other events at taverns around Jozi.
After the official briefing, the artists were requested to stay behind for a “photo opportunity”. I was tickled pink! Had to restrain myself from jumping in between the divas and asking someone to “please shoot me”.
In about two months’ time, the spectacular Joy of Jazz will be upon us again, and I can’t wait!
THE OFFICIAL PR:
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival has thrown down the gauntlet to all other South African jazzfests in the country by presenting one of the most diverse and powerful
line-ups in years.
What makes this year so different from previous festivals and other jazzfests in South Africa is that it will feature the first American big band to play here in about 30 years – the world famous Count Basie Orchestra.
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which runs in Newtown from August 23 to 25, also pays its own tribute in Women’s Month by bringing together four of the country’s national cultural treasures on one bill – Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka, Thandie Klaasen and Letta Mbulu whose illustrious musical careers need no introduction.
Other South African giants include Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, Stimela and Sipho Mabuse who will be joining international acts The Clarke/Duke Project featuring Stanley Clarke and George Duke; trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis; acclaimed fusion jazz band Pieces of a Dream as well as Israel’s Common Bond and France’s No Jazz.
The Count Basie Orchestra – with an astounding 17 Grammy Awards to their name – is the greatest swing band in history. The band recorded “One O’ Clock Jump” in 1937 and never looked back. Ever since Basie’s death in 1984 the orchestra has been led by Basie alumni: First Thad Jones, then Frank Foster followed by Grover Mitchell and today the man at the helm is trombonist Bill Hughes who first joined Basie in 1953.
Bassist Stanley Clarke has worked with the who’s who of jazz from Stan Getz and Chick Corea to Herbie Hancock and Horace Silver. He’s played with both rock and jazz musicians, written music for films and along with George Duke had a hit single in 1981 with “Sweet Baby”. George Duke has done it all from playing with Frank Zappa to leading a group that included drummer Billy Cobham. He’s a keyboard whiz and a record producer. Now the two have teamed up again as the The Clarke/Duke Project to wow Joburg audiences.
Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis is also likely to thrill. He came to prominence as a member of Elvin Jones’s Jazz Machine. He has also produced recordings for many musicians including his brothers Branford and Wynton. His own band will comprise tenor saxophonist Mark Shim, pianist Anthony Wonsey, bassist David Pulphus and his younger brother, drummer Jason Marsalis.
Fusion enthusiasts will flip over Pieces of a Dream co-led by founder members drummer Curtis Harmon and keyboardist James Lloyd. Included in the group are guitarist/bassist david, saxman Eddie Baccus Jnr and vocalist Ramona Dunlap.
There are also plenty of young artists at the festival.
An exciting band is Common Bond from Israel who mix and match musical styles from ethnic, world and jazz music along with sounds of the Middle-East, Afro-Latin and a touch of funk. The musicians play “regular” instruments such the saxophone, flute and oboe and also use exotic instruments such as a duduk (Armenian flute), didgeridoo, English horn and zorna (Kurdish flute).
France’s No Jazz mix the original celebratory spirit of jazz with hypnotic rhythms and contemporary sounds. Acoustic and jungle, trip hop and janfares, melodies and samples, funk and jazz happily mingle with drum and bass.
Young SA performers on the bill are jazzy afro-soul singer Siphokazi, Nokukhanya, Nombulelo Maqetuka and Shannon Mowday
The 2007 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz brings an array of quality jazz to satisfy all tastes across the jazz genre which should appeal to jazz lovers around the country.
Commented Mandie van der Spuy, head of Jazz and Arts at Standard Bank: “At the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, we discover and explore both the heritage and riches of home-grown talent, host an enviable clutch of international stars, and meet the young jazz stars of the future. We are proud to sponsor an event that not only brings jazz lovers together, but is also allows us to stage a wonderful collaboration and celebration of jazz in the heart of Johannesburg.”
Van der Spuy’s comments were echoed by T-Musicman’s Peter Tladi who said: “As the festival promoter we spend a great deal of time searching for artists who will appeal to a broad base of music fans. We are thrilled this year to be presenting some of the best South African musicians of all time.”
Undoubtedly the premier event on Johannesburg’s jazz calendar, the 2007 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival will take place at seven venues in the city’s Newtown precinct.
As for the past two years, a specially designed Jazz Dome and the Mbira Stage will be erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, creating two purpose-built venues to showcase this year’s stunning bill. Other venues include The Bassline and Dance Factory.
There is free entrance to Newtown venues Shivava, Sophiatown and Nikki’s Oasis where development bands will perform including Julia Lamberti and Signature; the Vusi Mahlasela Music School; TUT Music School and Black Mok. The international artists will also be hosting workshops for local musicians as will Shannon Mowday.
Tickets to the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival are available from Computicket.
For more information on the line-up, venues go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za.
