Represent Review: Joy of Jazz 2009
Represent shimmied in amongst all the Friday night jazz cats last weekend down in Newtown, Johannesburg at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2009 festival – see our photostory here and read our take below from our team Nkateko Siweya and Hloni Ditse – Sharpile guys! : It’s a Friday just after rush hour traffic – it’s the last winter weekend and there’s no sign of a cold wind or rainy clouds, I wonder why… A long stream of cars flows past in an absolutely uniform precision, going in the opposite direction. Where are they going? People are supposed to be going home at this hour! Well not these music lovers… Mhhh, maybe all these people driving towards downtown Joburg might know that something interesting is about to go down. I’m also heading downtown, Newtown to be exact, past the dim highway lights, to arrive at a light and bubbly (no direct relation to Champagne) scene of blue and white lights: the 2009 Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz. I step into a mass of people of all ages, walking and mingling as if it were a holiday: we are in Jozi, the city that never sleeps. Such energy and excitement is derived from just being out and about in Newtown, Johannesburg city and it can be felt and witnessed by each face that makes up this buzzing crowd. One thing you are never short of in Joburg is a fashion parade, from the young funky attires to the mature elegantly dressed- that on its own is an art form unique to Africa’s greatest metropolitan. Our bright colours call out loud: “Welcome to the southern spring season!!” The stages are set, the guests are here, the weather is clear and warm we are out and about in an era brimming with talent and skill. The stages in Newtown boasted the most adept and diversified jazz and soul musicians from many a corner of the globe. This is one time I wish I could replicate myself just for the night so I could get to fully immerse myself in the simultaneous happenings on all four stages. I would soothe myself with the foreign and blissful featuring artists like Room 11, Somi, Brian Thusi, Level 99, MAG, Minor Band, CJC, Live Rhythm, J4Dot, Solace and Soul Tique and the many more who showcased their talent at great length. Even though my self- morphing into four of me didn’t go down, I did manage to catch a few of the legends in action, from the very appealing Judith Sephuma’s soulful choruses to Unathi Nkayi who was just having a wonderful jol with the...
Rock your winter Sunday in Jozi
It’s winter, it’s cold and dry, people snuggle up indoors sometimes feeling gloomy, eating too much chocolate and wondering when summer will return…mmhh… Now zoom to a green leafy suburb not far from the heart of the city of Johannesburg on a Sunday afternoon in early winter, lazy happy residents stretch out on blankets under toasty sunlight and crisp blue skies surrounded by colourful people all tapping their feet to a live band. Tempted? You know you are. Catch the Old Mutual Encounters Concert on Sunday the 5 June at Emmarentia Dam: The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts is back with a brand new series. The last series of Old Mutual Encounters Concerts proved to be a standout success for this year’s calendar showcasing what many have regarded as one of the most eclectic and ground breaking collection of line-ups. This new season promises to be filled with more headlining acts and some new kids on the block creating an outstanding musical experience for all. The Old Mutual Encounters Concerts MK Vredefest will get the ball rolling for this thrilling series at the ambient setting of the Emmarentia Dam, in the Johannesburg Botanic gardens on the 6 June. Audiences can look forward to exhilarating live stage acts from aKING, Fokofpolisiekar, Tidal Waves and Zebra & Giraffe. Cape Town based band aKING, brings you a new sound that is an enticing mixture of foot-tapping beats and a dynamic blend of musical style. Described as intense and relentless, this performance will definitely not be one to miss! Join in on the mind-blowing and high energy live show of Afrikaans alternative rock band Fokofpolisiekar. Formed in 2003, this band has since gone from strength to strength, injecting South African music scene with innovative rock tunes. Reggae band Tidal Waves are known for their song writing sophistication with their political and socially orientated lyrics. Fans can enjoy a fantastic and impressive sound and will be sure to witness a musical masterpiece. Pushing the musical envelope, Zebra & Giraffe, with their unique look and music, will bring something original and exciting to the Johannesburg music scene. Be sure to catch this year’s winner of the South African Music Award for Best Rock Album for their debut album “Collective Memories”. So launch your winter season with a big bang and come and join us for an unforgettable rock and roll experience and get ready to have fun in the sun and bask in the sound waves. Be sure to pack your umbrella, picnic blankets, and cooler boxes and let Old Mutual Encounters Concerts take care of the rest. Tickets are available via www.tunegum.com for R50 and...
Friday Night Live in Swaziland
Friday Night Live is a platform for Swaziland’s homegrown talents to develop and showcase themselves.The focus is local talent with a sprinkling of International performance. Its an initiative which sees all the entertainment companies, promoters and artists working together to develop the arts in Swaziland. This month the featuring Live Act is THOBILE MAGAGULA. Thobile started singing and dancing during school concerts and school events at the age of 11. Even though she had a passion for dance she joined the Luve Choral Choir when she was 14 and she sang and led folk songs fusing in traditional dance. In 2006 she started playing Mkhoyane and Sitolotolo (Swazi Traditional Instruments) Thobile has collaborated with many well known artists including Swaziland’s Bholoja, Afrika Revenge (Zim), Imbongi Cultural group (Zim), Jamludi, Bafana Nhlapo and many more. The sprinkling of International performance features DJ Vincent Caudry who is originally from France but now a Swazi Resident and also a member of the well known LILANGA. He will be on the decks playing a selection of arty world music. Their performances will be followed by one of Swaziland’s finest female DJs – DJ LAY CREAM!! Friday 29 May House on Fire Doors Open 8pm E50 Fine Food will be on Sale VIP tables and Boxes available call 5282110 to...
Don’t miss this treat of a gig – Sat 9 May
Oh this weekend is gonna be pumping out some sweet jazzy sounds – we cannot recommend a better gig for anyone that loves offbeat sublime SA jazz, at only R25 a ticket this is a gift… So how about dinner in Newtown or Melville and then zooting yourself over to the WITS Amphiteatre… Siya’s voice alone will have the hairs standing at attention, never mind the slickness of Marcus, Carlo and Justin. GO GO GO. Represent! The Prisoners of Strange with Siya Makuzeni: voice Marcus Wyatt: trumpet Carlo Mombelli: bass & soundscapes Justin Badenhorst: drums Venue: Wits Amphitheatre (University of the Witwatersrand) Saturday 9th MAY 9 pm Bookings – R25 at Strictlytickets.com or at the...
Levi’s® Vintage Sundays is back- Sun 10 May
The sixth edition of ‘Levi’s Vintage Sundays’ takes place this May in Joburg – it’s heartening to see a brand consistently supporting South African musicians by providing them with a (reliable) platform from whence to share their love. Good job Levi’s. Sharpile! The second installation of this 6th round of gigs takes place this Sunday at The Crazy 88 in Norwood at 7:30pm. Do you best to get there as it features three of our bestest South African musical wonders… Kwani Experience, the legendary Pops Mohammed and the poet mc TUMI. It’s gonna be crazy up in there. KWANI EXPERIENCE is a six-piece live band powerhouse, hailing from the inner city of Johannesburg. Featuring a gritty yet sophisticated sound, they present a distinctive edge in their attitude, their messages, their look and their sound. Having already performed on several European tours in countries like France, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands as well as a few African countries such as Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho and Cape Verde, Kwani Experience is proving to be one of the greatest South African exports. Check out www.kwani.co.za / www.myspace.com/kwaniexp for more information. Multi-talented artist, POPS MOHAMED is one of the greatest musical exports of our time. As a composer, arranger, producer, performer and teacher, he is an internationally renowned virtuoso in the field of indigenous African instruments. He also writes scores for film documentaries and radio jingles and as a member of the SA Chamber Orchestras, Pops Mohamed hosts workshops for children around the world with the preservation of traditional music at heart. Having performed across the globe several times over, Pops Mohamed is a must-see in the Levi’s® Vintage Sundays line-up. Check out www.myspace.com/popsmohamed for more information. TUMI MOLEKANE aka Tumi, is solo artist and lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume. 2007 marked the arrival of Tumi’s first SAMA nomination, a double nomination under the Best Rap category. Having travelled the globe a few times over with a huge following in his own home country, Tumi is even more renowned abroad through his annual international tours and is arguably one of South Africa’s most electric performers right now. Check out http://www.myspace.com/tumipoetmc for more...
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