Having to contend with the public’s demand on who will be on the bill, at the media launch held in Sandton, finally the cat was let out of the bag!
Although the status quo on more internationals appearing as opposed to lesser locals still persists, the line-up fits the international bill, after-all.
It jazzes off from its ‘heritage site’ August 22 to 24 at Newtown, Jozi. Jazz pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto born in 1948, is one of the pianist on the bill. He’s a professional musician who attended the Nippon University.
Having toured and played across UK and Europe, the celebrated pianist has performed alongside the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Carmen MacRae, Sam Jones, Billy Higgins and Elvin Jones.
It is his first appearance in SA.
Our own jazz giant Abdullah Ibrahim joins Grammy Award winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard and celebrated pianist Ahmad Jamal.
Close to 50 artists have been confirmed for the JoJ.
American Carmen Lundy, Donald Harrison, Christian Scott, SA trumpeter Lwanda Gogwana, Grammy Award winning tenor saxophonist Eddie Daniels, and American saxophonist Tia Fuller, will grace our shores…
Dennis Edwards, a former lead singer for the Motown act The Temptations who will be appearing in The Temptations Review which features Paul Williams Jnr, son of original Temptations member Paul Williams; Peter White from the UK who first gained fame with his distinctive guitar style as accompanist to Al Stewart and played on Stewart’s landmark Year of the Cat album; Argentina’s Tango String Quartet; the DRC’s Ray Lema; US vocalist René Marie; Cape Verde’s Marie de Barros and Lenora Raphael from the US, will be here.
Ray “Chikapa” Phiri and Stimela; Mlungisi Gegana, Sipho Mabuse, Sibongile Mngoma, Afrotraction; Kabomo, Selaelo Selota, Mbuso Khoza, Ivan Mazuze, Jeff Maluleke and Themba Mkhize, will rattle the cage, so will be keyboardist from CT Adam Glasser, Australian Carl Orr, Concord Nkabinde, Nduduzo Makhathini and Ghananian Frank Tontoh.
Shane Cooper, the 2013 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz, will be performing with Bokani Dyer, Kesivan Naidoo (another former Standard Bank Young Artist winner for jazz), Reza Khota and Justin Bellairs, Peter Auret Trio comprising Auret, Roland Moses and James Sunney of Watershed fame with special guest Joe Penn on saxophone, should prove to the jazz fanatics and the world that SA has the crème de la crème when arranging such events.
Paul Mashatile, Minister of Arts and Culture, says his department would continue to support such gatherings as they bring the best out of us.
The Minister who was reported to have landed from France came direct to the launch and in his own words said:”Arts contributes in the growth of economy and as such, we as the department should lead by example in making sure our artists learn and share their expertise with international counterparts, “ says Mashatile.
He went further to reiterate that, the department has forged ties with various states such as UK, France, China and Russia and on African Continent with Angola, Nigeria and are still in talks with others.
“Plans are afoot to open music academies in August which would be beneficial to the development of music, arts in our country. Close to 800 artists will go to France as part of exchange programmes, “he said.
Parks Tau, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, in absentia said the City and its citizens should brace themselves for what would be a beneficial gathering.
Peter Tladi of T-Musicman, the event organisers says: “Over the years we have brought the finest jazz musicians to our shores as desired by the event’s fans, friends and supporters. Because we believe all people deserve to hear the best musicians the world has to offer, our 2013 line-up pays tribute to the listener’s choice as it were, it is our gift to our friends and festivalgoers who insist on the most interesting, the out of the ordinary, the push the boundaries type of artist, and most importantly the best of class.
This is a line-up for the discerning jazz lover.”
Hazel Chimhandamba, Head of Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank says:“We are delighted that during the 14 year history of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz we have continued to discover and explore both the heritage and riches of home-grown talent while playing host to an enviable array of international stars and meeting the young jazz stars of the future.
We are proud to sponsor an event that celebrates jazz in the heart of Johannesburg and that has become renowned in jazz circles around the world.”
It takes place on eight stages in Newtown including the Dinaledi Stage, the Conga, Mbira, Bassline and The Market Theatre. Other venues include free concerts at Sophiatown, Shikisha and Nikki’s Oasis.
Tickets are on sale at Computicket with a 15% discount for all Standard Bank customers valid from May 21 until June 30 (terms and conditions apply).
For more info go to: www.joyofjazz.co.za
www.facebook.com/standardbankjoyofjazz
twitter.com/joyofjazz
www.facebook.com/standardbankjoyofjazz
youtube.com/standardbankgroup
