Represent Review: Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2010
Between bracing the Cape winds, running between stages and having dinner with Bilal (coughcough), our two fabulous Jozi representer’s Lebogang and Akona (you’re always a Jozi girl for us) still managed to cover the Cape Town International Jazz Festival for us this year… and with such panache… What can we say besides a massive Sharpile. Watch your snailmail for your thank yous đ See Lebogang’s gorgeous photostory of the event here and read Akona’s review below: Represent! This yearâs 11th annual Cape Town Jazz Festival, which took place last weekend, once again got itâs stamp of approval for being one of the grandest music festivals in the country, I also think this event, previously known as North Sea Jazz Festival, is one of the better organised festivals out there save for the crazy Cape Town wind trying to get itâs time in the spotlight. The line â up was incredible, the most exciting part for me are the number of fusion artists I had never heard of – you see, the Jazz Fest for me is the place I go to be introduced to new music without being caught out as an ignoramus by die-hard fans. T his is where the artists have to bear their souls through their craft, this is where they introduce themselves to the possibility of new fans â me being one of them of course. 42 acts, over two nights, on 5 stages = a whole lot of dancing, singing, crying, with a healthy dose of soul touching music to keep you entertained.  On the first night, with a late start to the evening, I was blown away not only by the Cape Town wind at the âBasslineâ stage (which was setup outside of the International Convention Centre) but also by the Japanese fusion jazz group â a six man group playing what Iâd call dance music, with a very jazzy root. It was impossible not to be mesmerized not only by their energy, but the way in which they got the audience involved, singing hooks, dancing, clapping along and creating a measurable heat out in the open stage (audience by now had to do just about everything not to succumb to the thrashing of the wind). What was most important is how the band didnât seem bothered nor allowed themselves to be distracted by the wind and sand smacking them about on stage, they never skipped a beat â at one point I saw the saxophonist cough out some dirt only after blowing his instrument to the tunes. The Soil and Pimp Sessions is a vibrant band who transcend any expectations, MC, trumpet,...
Bilal joins the Line-Up at Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Oh, to hear the opening strains to Soul Sister, to close our eyes and be swept away by the swelling vocal crescendos of Sometimes… damn, Bilal playing at this years Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the best news since we heard about our poor Guru (who by the way is thankfully out of his coma). It was so dope to see Bilal a few years ago at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, where he mesmerized the crowd and had ladies nearly nekked with lurve for his sexy ways… We’re sure Bilal will deliver hands down once again and we urge you of course to GO GO GO. We will try to see just how up close and personal we can get. Bilal, one of the worldâs most well-respected and highly sought after live acts performing exquisite, pitch-perfect, old-soul hip-hop tinged vocal gymnastics like no other completes the line-up for the 11th Cape Town Jazz Festival. From the humble streets of Philadelphia to The Big Apple, Brooklyn has been the aural disseminatorâs base from where three albums worth of brilliance have, thus far, been realised. As his keen insistence saw him plough through and challenge his chosen genre Bilal quickly caught the attention and made fans of soul jazz legends Giles Peterson, the Roots, Dr. Dre, Jay Z and Raphael Saddiq. It was Erykah Badu who, upon hearing his early Brooklyn demoâs, hired the prodigy to not only perform, but also produce her 2000 album Mamaâs Gun. Dedicated to old-school, the former jazz musician navigates comfortably around all things percussion, organ and guitar-based. In 2001, at the age of only 21, Bilalâs aptly titled 17-track autobiographical debut 1st Born Second shook the larger neo-soul tree to way beyond its knotted root core where it celebrated comparisons to the true greats. The most memorable confirmation came when critics set it up alongside DâĂngeloâs 2000 Voodoo album, labelling it the âsmoother stepchildâ. From there the rollercoaster was well and truly set in its tracks and was hurtling, at blinding speed, up the charts and into live arenaâs right around the world. âHis voice â including a terrific falsetto, can still a room. He has the ability to head in unexpected directions, at the edge of off-key, only to bring back the song with emotional satisfaction that comes when risks pay offâ â The Boston Globe In 2003 he delivered his startling second collection of songs titled Love For Sale. The album was never officially released, but rather bootlegged by hungry fans and one which Vibe magazine tagged âpsycho soulâ. From âHow Do You Do Youâ and âAll The Humans...
George Benson and Al Jarreau: “Givin’ It Up”
Have you heard? The kings of cool are coming to town! Grammy- Award winning superstars George Benson and Al Jarreau will give three unique, once-in-a-lifetime concert performances, together in SA in March! They will be performing in Johannesburg at the Coca Cola Dome, Durban at the International Convention Centre, Cape Town at the Bellville Veladrome, and they will also perform at an exclusive private concert as part of the official opening ceremony of the Arena at the International Convention Centre, Durban. While enjoying the world-wide success of âGivinâ It Upâ, their first full length CD collaboration together, (released on 24 October 2006), George Benson and Al Jarreau recently began a worldwide promotional tour, performing only in a few selected countries, including South Africa. Local audiences have the rare opportunity and privilege to see two of the worldâs finest artists on stage together, accompanied by the Benson/ Jarreau touring musicians.  Throughout his career George Benson has embraced everything from straight-ahead jazz to contemporary jazz and R&B/ pop vocals. He is one of a handful of artists who have achieved major critical and commercial success in different genres and this pedigree makes him one of the most respected performers of the past 30 years. Al Jarreauâs unique vocal style and his innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time.  Between them, George Benson and Al Jarreau have sold over 50 million records, had 20 number one hits and won 13 Grammy Awards across pop, jazz and R&B categories. âGivinâ It Upâ, the new release teaming singer/guitarist/songwriter George Benson with vocalist extraordinaire/songwriter Al Jarreau marks the first time the two artists have recorded together in their 30-year friendship. The Benson and Jarreau collaboration resulted in new arrangements of each otherâs respective biggest hits, âBreezinââ and âMorninâ”.  âGivinâ it Upâ unites Benson and Jarreau for the first time and features guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Marcus Miller and Chris Botti. It includes âTutu”, a homage to Bishop Desmond Tutu, featuring special guest Herbie Hancock on acoustic piano. It has been nominated for three Grammy Awards to be announced on 11 February 2007. âMornin’â was nominated for best pop instrumental, âBreezin’â for best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group and âGod Bless The Childâ featuring Jill Scott for best traditional R&B vocal performance. Details: Johannesburg: Coca Cola Dome, Northgate Sunday, 18 March 2007 18h00 Durban: International Convention Centre Wednesday, 21 March 2007 (Human Rightâs Day) 19h00 Cape Town: Bellville Veladrome Thursday, 22 March 2007 20h00 Ticket prices range from R200- R450. Book now by calling Computicket on 083 915 8000, or...
We will be back!
