“FOR now, just throw all your worries away. Party with the spirit that made this place of gold famous and let the music take you anywhere,” those were the words of Peter Tlandi, chief executive officer of T Musicman, producers of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, at a media briefing to herald the 12th yearly musical communion in Johannesburg.
Held from August 25 to 27, it was a global mélange of sound, as top international artistes joined the legendary Wynton Marsalis at the jazz-travaganza!
It was an opportunity to savour the best of jazz idiom from South Africa and the world. On those days that it held, trumpets blew, drums were beaten, guitar strum and songs belted out in a manner reminiscent of a Christian Communion service.
Extravagant dress sense, over-done make-up, ostentatious accessories, raunchy numbers and dance routines were on show, as devotees bopped and boogied to the smooth sounds of live jazz at the Newtown Precinct.
Through the years, the festival has become known for its ability to bring out some of the world’s top performers and this year was no exception.
Johannesburg — Jozi, as locals refer to it —with its diverse communities, mapped out in wide range of history, architecture and social role, waited to welcome jazz devotees from across the world.
The over three days of sexy creativity, excitement, self-expression and warmth drew thousands of jazz devotees who made the pilgrimage to worship at the feet of jazz legends such as Marsalis, Hugh Masekela, McCoy Tyner and Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeff Lorber, Frank McComb, HGM Jazz Messengers, Brussels Jazz Orchestra and Tutu Puoane or legends in the making such as Bonga and Ringo.
From the Emperor’s Palace to Dinaledi and Mbira stages, Conga to Sophiatown and Bassline, there was a toast of exciting jazz sounds and world music from continental and global artistes.
Across the seven venues, all the artistes teased out the spirits of the drums, guitar, trumpets and saxophone in the view of excited crowd.
The Gauteng Jazz Orchestra featuring the African Soul Sisters — Nokukhanya Dlamini, Nombulelo Maqetuka and Wanda Baloyi — were the first to serenade the exclusive guests at the Emperor’s Palace on the opening day. Marsalis followed them.
From the palace of emperors, actions moved to Newtown, with over 46 artistes and musical groups on parade.
It was encouraging to see ever act holding the attention of the audience. There was no dull moment. There was much to see, in terms of stagemanship and craft, and much to listen to.
NIGERIA’s Olufemi, a saxophonist, who combines West African flavour with the Southern African beats, creating a unique style, which he calls Afro-Soul Fusion, also impressed the audience on the Conga Stage on Saturday, August 27.
He was be accompanied by Michael Felix (trumpet & backing vocals), Mpho (trombone & backing vocals), Kayode Ogunkoya (tenor sax and backing vocals), Nonhlanlha Mahlangu (backing vocals), Oyedele Olusegun (congas and talking drums), Moloko Kgomo (guitar), Moses Efijemue (drummer), Alex Samuel (keyboards & backing vocals), Morne Brainers (backing vocals) and Stephanie (backing vocals).
Tu Nokwe, who has the DNA of one of South Africa’s greatest musical families, wowed everybody with her performance on the Conga stage.
The lady, who released her debut album, Inyakanyaka, in 1996, unveiled a distinctive style, which combined New Age African, spiritual, and Afro-jazz funk.
The well-travelled performer, who has delighted audiences around the world with her fabulous live shows, gave a good account of herself.
For Tu, “the way jazz is loosely interpreted allows freedom of musical expression, simplicity, confidence and creative license to experiment with the blend of different genres.”
AS part of the festival, a show honouring jazz icon, Jonas Gwangwa, was opened at the Market Theatre on August 23. The show ends on December 2.
With the show, the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, in association with Department of Arts and Culture and the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, pay tribute to the life and work of the legendary instrumentalist, composer, arranger, bandleader and musical director.
The show takes a look at the musical and political career spanning over six decades.
Born in Soweto, in 1937, Gwangwa’s musical talent burgeoned in the 50s and crystallized in the 1980s, when he directed the Amandla Cultural Ensemble, whose performances broadcast the anti-apartheid message around the world.
Tladi said: “Securing Wynton Marsalis is a real coup for the festival and firmly reconfirms Gauteng’s status on the international jazz map. We are delighted with the range and calibre of artists this year and we predict the 2011 festival will be a sell-out like last year.”
THE festival was produced by T-Musicman and sponsored by Standard Bank in association with the Department of Arts & Culture with co-sponsors The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation, South African Tourism (SAT), Gauteng Tourism, National Arts Council, City of Joburg, MNS Attorneys and Emperor’s Palace as co-sponsors.
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