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...
Represent Review: Soweto Gospel Choir DvD Launch
Our indefatigable team of Represent reporters Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema and Nkateko “Agent Katz” Siweya headed off to the glittering Maponya Mall in the heart of wonderful Soweto for the launch of the Soweto Gospel Choir’s new DVD… See our photostory here. Thursday 25 September 2008. Maponya Mall – Soweto. A fair weathered evening at this once termed “ambitious White Elephant” (excuse the pun) of township real estate. Today, not only is this elegant mall proudly standing in the heart of black economy, but Maponya Mall is home to the most famous retail, franchise, boutique and chain store outlets of Mzansi’s cherished brands like: Woolworths, Pick ‘n Pay, News Café, Primi Piatti and many more. The Ster Kinekor is of top notch quality, complete with a nice and spaciously designed food court for Africa! Tonight, our entertainment hunting noses have lead us to the Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir’s launch of their signature DVD: African Spirit. I like the Soweto Gospel Choir, as a matter of fact I prefer their melodic inspirational tunes over that of Joyous Celebration. In sharp contrast to the former, Soweto’s humming choristers beautifully blend a selected collection of staunch church choruses with a number of smooth and equally uplifting melodies. This, I believe is the very reason why they gained international appeal, superstardom stature and all round affection which will surely stand them in good stead for many days to come. The legion of Mzansi’s “want to know it all” daily columnists aka paparazzi, were treated exceptionally well (obviously!) and accorded the kind of decorum fit for royalty. However, a bit of over estimation on the part of the organizers meant that the nice to gobble stuff far outlasted the number of attendees, but sadly on my part, the green bottle from Amstel Brouwerijen of Amsterdam was strictly kept at bay…sad, very sad!!! A makeshift stage was erected in front of Tuscan BBQ adjacent the Ster Kinekor movie theater. We were treated to famous Sunday choruses like “Ke Na Le Modisa, Woza Meli Wami, Bayete” and many more, however the song that most inspired the audience to a point of uncontrollable, compulsive sing along hums was the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Theme song: World in Union. I was at a loss for words… After the live performances, we were escorted into the movie theater (Popcorn and ice-cold Coca Cola in hand) for a sneak preview of the magic as recorded in front of a live audience at the Nelson Mandela Theater – Civic Theater – Braamfontein and now beautifully packaged in a collectors DVD which is available at all good music stores nationwide....
Represent Review: Joy of Jazz 08
This years line up was so juicy, we just had to get amongst one of Joburg’s (and soon to be the world’s…) premier jazz music festivals, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema does the honours below, Nkateko Siweya tells our photostory here… 31 August 2008. The Foothills of Moretele Park – Mamelodi – Pretoria (City of Tshwane), the setting of this year’s SA Music Heroes Concert. For us (true jazz followers) it was an assortment of choice on a silver platter. As the impressive line-up of stars was flaunted, I found myself in a very bitter-sweet predicament. Looking up at the aging league of our household favourites, I gazed upwards (in peasant style) as the old guard performed, with my glazed cheeks and my broad smile; but I was saddened, as I wondered to myself what the future of South African jazz holds. Our legends are aging very quickly, from Bro Hugh Masekela to Mama Letta Mbuli, the torch is surely changing hands… but to whom? And yet, I cling on… The Event Mr. Wilson Mankuku Nkosi mashed us up with his mature trumpet sounds, following suite was Mrs. Nothembeni Mkwebana who immediately sent us on a systematic repertoire of jump action moves as we unanimously responded to her rock ‘n roll aligned musical chords. Her guitar skills drove me insane! Jimmy Dludlu with his maestro guitarist skills quelled us under his charming spell as we hummed the tunes to his famous tunes. I am such a down-beat fan! At 18:00, my favourite jazz artist, Mr. Jonas Gwangwa ascended the platform. His well known originals: Batsomi and Kgomo, had the multitudes passionately singing along: “Nna di sa fele Nka di busa, di sa fele Nka di busetsa morago…” I love this song!!! August being the end of Women’s month, it was fitting that Mzansi’s famous jazz couple (who were coincidentally celebrating their 40th Anniversary) be crowned the flagship performers of the evening. Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr. Caiphus Semenya and Ms Letta Mbuli. They are such an inspiration to me and many of their avid fans. The evening was sealed off with a colourful display of majestic fireworks. What a smoky way to enter a new season! I so wished the blossom season can be ushered in by a renewed affirmation to the nurturing, growth and sustainability of the genre by young and talented Jazz artists with a fresh new sound and long term commitment. We need to revive and preserve our country’s jazz heritage. Before it is too late. Reuben-The Matrix-...
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