THE 27th iteration of the annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz held over two evenings of September 25 and 26 at the Sandton Convention Center proved to be a hit with music lovers once again.
Over two memorable nights on Africa’s richest square mile at the tail end of South Africa’s Heritage Month designated to celebrate the nation’s rich cultural diversity, an eclectic cohort of over 50 local and international musicians held sway across the four stages of the multi-tiered venue.
This year’s event featured tributes to Kippie Moeketsi, Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo – performed by saxophonist Khaya Mahlangu, Thandiswa Mazwai and Buhlebendalo Mda, Zawadi YaMungu and Xolisa Dlamini, respectively.
Two of the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipients, viz., Gabi Motuba and Ndumiso Manana, also shared the limelight with, et al., acts such as Benin’s Angelique Kidjo, the US’ Kamasi Washington, Lebanese-French Ibrahim Maalouf, Canadian-South African Lorraine Klaasen, Cape Verde’s Carmen Souza and the Anglo-American neo-soul duo Floetry.
Performers across the four stages were introduced by South Africa’s radio presenters such as Talk Radio 702’s Nothemba Madumo (Dinaledi Stage), Nonn Botha (Conga Stage), Bridget Masinga (Diphala Stage) and Radio 2000’s Ntombi Phiri and Paul Mnisi (Mbira Stage) over the two evenings of the shows.
Among acts which “set crowds alight” was the collaboration of Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf and The Trumpets of Michel-Ange – whose high energy performance was received with massive enthusiasm and described as “electrifying”.
His appearance at the shindig had been hyped as “the highlight for the SBJOJ” and an opportunity to make pure “magic in Jozi” by the organizers – and judging by the response from organizational and individual aficionados on various platforms, he fulfilled expectations exceedingly.
66-year-old five-time Grammy Award winner, Angelique Kidjo reignited the Conga Stage with a captivating performance which left the star-struck audience – which counted among it, erstwhile president Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele – in awe.
The Beninese further endeared her reputation into the hearts of the crowd by featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir and Vusi Mahlasela – and also sang Miriam Makeba’s Pata Pata.
If Kidjo can still render audiences spellbound, recognizable seasoned saxophonist, Khaya Mahlangu once again demonstrated that he’s far off from slowing down in his septuagenarian years – kicking off Saturday’s programme on the Dinaledi Stage with a tribute to late fellow saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi (who’d be 101-years-old were he still alive today).
During a set titled Kippie Moeketsi 101 Centennial Jazz Tribute, Mahlangu and an ensemble of upcoming young South African jazz musicians delivered a masterful highlight of the festival. It was one reedman’s acknowledgement of another – albeit posthumously and was reminiscent of the centenary show Mahlangu staged on Moeketsi’s birthday at the Market Theatre in 2025.
On an early Saturday evening on the Conga Stage, flugelhorn and trumpet player Sydney Mavundla and his quartet comprised of pianist Afrika Mkhize, double bassist Amaeshi Ikechi and drummer Sphelelo Mazibuko, unfolded his set from his 2024 Dirge for our Fathers album.
A deeply moving tribute dedicated to the fathers and elders of South African and global jazz who mentored, guided and paved the way for younger generations of musicians – his quartet’s set eased the appreciative audience into the momentum of the second evening of the shindig.
With attendees ever moving en masse across floors of the venue to sit in on the various performances, the Mbira Stage was the location of a tribute to the late troubadour Busi Mhlongo by the female trio of Buhlebendalo Mda (of The Soil-fame), Zawadi YaMungu and Xolisa Dlamini.
And in the wee hours segueing into Sunday morning after Thandiswa Mazwai and Kamasi Washington had been the last artists to conclude their sets on the Mbira and Dinaledi stages respectively, yet another iteration of a world class proudly South African production had been successfully delivered!
An ecosystem of offerings such as auxiliary events, fringe concerts and developmental programs – the ever popular Standard Bank Joy of Jazz was initiated by T-Musicman founder Peter Tladi in collaboration with Hugh Masekela in 1997, whose music promotion entity subsequently partnered with Standard Bank from 1999 to annually deliver the sonic fest in its current form.
The event presented a hive of activities: there were hospitality areas hosted by the ilk of Standard Bank, outside broadcast radio stations, a jazz vinyl kiosk for collectors, food and beverage stalls, merchandize sellers and ample networking and dalliances opportunities amidst an environment where hoteliers, restaurateurs, transporters and miscellaneous providers strove for a slice of the value chain.
Ahead of the actual SBJOJ, such events and experiences benefit both stakeholders and the local economy include the Jazz for Young People program nurturing the next generation of jazz creators, Ignite Her Soul luncheon celebrating matriarchs of South African music, the Jazz Wise Youth Music Business Workshop and the Free the Jazz Concert on the Sandton City Rooftop on Heritage Day.
In a circulated statement, the SBJOJ’s headline sponsor Standard Bank acknowledged its economic pull over almost three decades which has realised it grow from just 1 800 attendees in 2000 to over 25 000 festivalgoers annually to date.
In aptly describing the rendezvous as a platform of intergenerational and international opportunity, T-Musicman’s CEO and the SBJOJ’s Festival Producer Mantwa Chinoamadi stated that the SBJOJ was “about creating moments of connection across generations, cultures and geographies.”
Top image Jacob MAWELA (Angelique Kidjo limned performing on the Conga Stage of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz at the Sandton Convention Centre on September 26, 2026.)
