He spoke on the sidelines at the JoJ media launch held in Sandton this week, that saw the crème dela crème of SA music-young and old- bracing the chilly evening to experience the 21st edition of this prestigious festival or ‘institution’.
It takes place from September 26 to 29, 2019 at the Sandton Convention Center, whose theme for this year is premised on ‘Jazz Unleashed’.
“We’re excited about what the 2019 line-up holds for us, as we mark one of the longest jazz sponsorship partnerships in the country (21 years this year)”, continued Sibeko, who in his key speech uttered ‘BLUE’ the signature brand associated with Standard Bank.
The evening had generalisation mix legends sis Sibongile Khumalo, Sipho “Hot-Stix” Mabuse, The Soil, Siphokazi and others.
Jazz lovers will be reintroduced to the music, while novices will discover the magic of jazz. At its best, jazz is free, fun, and unleashed.
Leading the pack is trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis who is, to many, the public face of jazz music.
Mozambican composer and saxophonist, Moreira Chonguiça, Cuban born pianist, Roberto Fonseca, Manu Katché, Ken Peplowski, who’s been described as the greatest living clarinetist in jazz, are some of the draw cards.
The festival will open with the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, the ZAR Orchestrad by Mzansi’s own eclectic horns-man, Marcus Wyatt.
The award winning line-up also includes Nigerian-born, Etuk Ubong, Stimela (appearing with the exception of the late Ray “Chikapa” Phiri), Kyekyeku & GhanalogueHighlife, a six-piece group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Siphokazi, Nomfundo Xaluva and TheSoil, Nokukhanya Dlamini, Sankofaled by US born and SA based saxophonist and composer,Salim Washington.
Daring Avant-Garde collaboration on the bill, Zachusa is a multinational outfit that features, Swiss pianist, Malcolm Braff,South African drummer Kesivan Naidoo, American bassist,Reggie Washington. This is jazz of the rigournot unlike the incredible tenor-man, Alexander Beets is a legendary Dutch tenor.
Not to be missed is Sankofa, the band is simultaneously rooted in Mzansi, connected to the US while inspired by Pan African ideas. Sankofa is a Ghanaian philosophy looking back to inform the future. This is jazz that is as aware of hip-hop as it is of the blues and Maskandi.
The 2019 SBJOJ features a never-to-be repeatedall-star bandperformance to celebrate35 Years of the Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) Awards.
The performance will feature previous award winners Swiss based and South African bornsaxophonist, Shannon Mowday (2007) will join the elder stateswoman of South African jazz,Sibongile Khumalo (1993), inimitable composer pianist, Nduduzo Makhathini (2015), and singular bassist,Concord Nkabinde (2006) and the likesof Gloria Bosman (2000), Bokani Dyer (2011) Mark Fransman (2008) to name a few.
The 2019 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz,trumpeter, Mandla Mlangeniwill also lead his own outfit in performance.
“As an award winning institution- as I call the longevity of the fest- we allow SA audience to see their favourite international artists in their own background, to experience the creativity and excellence of what they have to offer, without leaving the comfort your space owing to tough economic conditions the world is experiencing.
As one of the organisations that has been backing arts for ages, this also forms part of our mandate to continue supporting young and developing artists of tomorrow hence the platform to afford them a chance to share the stage with top stars worldwide,” he said.
Mantwa Chinoamadi, festival producer at T-Musicman indicated that: “We are perennially inspired by jazz as a symbol of freedom. It’s a freedom to be creative and explore beyond the tradition itself.
This is at the heart of our idea of Jazz Unleashed. To go to the edges of our great music and rediscover it anew.”
Africa’s premier jazz festival takes place from 26 to 28 September 2019 at the Sandton Convention Center.
Tickets are now available at Computicket outlets.
Image (Siphokazi, ‘Hot-Stix’ Mabsue, and other stars that will perform at the 21st edition of the Standard Bank JoJ from 26 to 28 September).
