Local jazz fans will be able to see that we are producing word class music too,” succinctly pointed out Benjamin Jephta.
Jephta and his band are part of the 20th Standard Bank Joy of Jazz that begins from September 28 to 30 at the Sandton Convention Center.
The Cape Town born-who is a 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, will share the stage with jazz luminaries from all walks of life such as Salif Keita, Tutu Puoane, Abdulla Ibrahim (Dollar Brand if you may), Thandiswa Mazwai, Roy Ayers, Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, and so on.
Unfortunately, Dr Hugh Masekela had to with withdraw due to eye-infection.
The 25-year-old jazz bassist is fast emerging as a clear leader of the current crop of young jazz musicians working in South Africa today, having released his latest offering The Evolution of an Undefined, that is set to win the hearts of thousand of music lovers expected to fill the venue over three-nights.
The dread-locked Jephta’s new project is set to follow on the heels of his debut album Homecoming, which saw him nominated for both a SA Music Award and Metro FM award, respectively.
Hints of a musical awareness of hip-hop and Soul along with touches of dance music like house and kwaito are evoked in each of his performances.
His touring band includes two former Standard Bank Young artists Kyle Shepherd and Bokani Dyer on piano and synths along with Sphelelo Mazibuko on drums.
This high-powered rhythm section is melodically led by Keenan Ahrends on guitar and Sisonke Xonti on saxophone.
The Cape flats based globe-trotting rapper says:” I’m excited too about the potential musical exchanges with musicians from all over the world who will play at the festival. This doesn’t happen often.”
Catch Jephta and his band at Diphala Stage on 29 September Friday.
The audience can expect 30 performances over three days on four stages, Dinaledi, Conga, Mbira and Diphala.
Tickets range from R700 opening night, R795 day pass and two days pass R1, 350.
