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...
Freedom to Dance at Arts Alive
There’s one week to go till the City of Johannesburg’s nearly month-long Arts Alive festival kicks off on the 3rd of September – we’re hoping you’ve already decided which part of the festival calls your name and booked your baby-sitter. This year we’re spoilt for choice with a broad line up of dance, comedy, theatre, film, visual arts, poetry and music to choose from throughout September… We’re going to be covering the Freedom to Dance House and Hip Hop event at Carfax that kicks off the festival – here’s the deal: The stage is set, the line-up has been finalised, finishing touches are being made and the smell of excitement and anticipation is thick in the air. It’s that time of year again… the 2009 17th annual Joburg Arts Alive International Festival set to take place in Johannesburg between the 3rd and 27th of September. In addition to the numerous captivating art disciplines set to grace urban central Johannesburg such as, theatre, dance (from classical to contemporary and street), visual arts, comedy, spoken word and poetry, the festival will also play host to the Arts Alive Freedom to Dance extravaganza, taking place at Carfax – Jozi on Friday the 4th of September 2009. Aimed at youth, this evening will whet the appetite of the toughest music critic with performances by leading house and hip hop DJ’s from South Africa. Guests on the evening will also be privy tothe electric legendary beats of international house sensation Rocco who by reputation exceeds all expectations. A regular on the Europe, USA and Asia house scenes, Rocco’s Deep House is rapidly growing in popularity among South African audiences. Rocco has previously been welcomed to South African shores and has played for an astounding 3000 spectators. His most recent release called “Someday” on Real Tone Records struck a chord with international and South African audiences alike having made its way to the Traxsource’s charts for 3 weeks and already supported by Louie Vega, Mr V. and Laurent Garnier! The House Floor at Carfax will also play host to many talented South African DJ’S including MacG, Mo Flava, Willie, Oskido, Bouer and Monde. And who could forget to mention the infamously popular Black Coffee who began his DJ career in 1994 while still in High School? His Deep/Afro House, Soulful Lounge, and broken beats are known around the country and are testament to his excellence. If Hip Hop is more your scene then get ready for an evening filled with insane beats and wicked rhymes. With appearances by Beatoven, Vigi, and Tholi B the evening is set to rock all the way through to the...
Standard Bank Joy of Jazz & Workshops
Warm up the last winter weekend this August at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in downtown Johannesburg… Young Jazz musicians take note, they’re running a series of free jazz workshops during the festival: Running from August 27 to 29 in Newtown, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2009 line-up features artists from America, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands who will be joined by top performers from South Africa and the African Diaspora. Performers from the African continent include South Africa’s Jonas Gwangwa; Afro Jazz featuring Jimmy Dludlu; Vusi Mahlasela; Brian Thusi; Sterling EQ; the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for jazz Kesivan Naidoo as well as the Nigerian All Stars featuring Kúnlé Ayo and Rwanda’s Somi. Read more about the artists below… Some of the world’s leading jazz musicians – appearing at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz which takes place in Newtown from August 27 to 29 – will run free workshops teaching youngsters and musicians the intricacies of the craft. They include acclaimed Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider; Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; American pianist Bob Baldwin and saxophonist Marion Meadows and American jazz vocalist Arlee Leonard. The two groups giving workshops are Netherlands’ popular outfit Room 11 comprising Janne Schra (vocals), Arriën Molema (guitar), Tony Roe (keyboards), Lucas Dols (bass) and Maarten Molema (drums) and Spain’s Sumrrá featuring Manuel Gutiérrez (piano), Xacobeo Martínez Antelo (double bass) and Luis Alberto Rodriguez (LAR) Legido (drums). For more information on the workshops contact Mojalefa Gwangwa at T Musicman on 011 326 0141 or email ar@tmusicman.co.za The itinerary is as follows: Thursday August 27 from 11am to 1.30pm 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 For more information on the line-up, venues go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za. More on the line-up: Leading South African songstresses Judith Sephuma and Unathi Nkayi are joining the already impressive line-up at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. Sephuma – who is regarded as one of the country’s leading jazz and Afro-pop singers and is the recipient of three South African Music Awards (SAMAs) – will perform on the Dinaledi Stage on Friday, August 28. She shares the stage with Spain’s Summra; the Lao Tizer Band featuring violinist Karen Briggs and guitarist Chieli Minucci and Main Ingredient from the US which includes vocalist Cuba Gooding. Over the years,...
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...
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