(Marc Duby)A highlight of Durban’s jazz calendar, the annual UKZN Jazz Jol is hosted by the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music in aid of the Ronnie Madonsela Scholarship which provides financial assistance to jazz students in the School of Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
The Jazz Jol will take place on October 30, featuring former alumnus Karendra Devroop and Sthembiso Ntuli (saxophone), Marc Duby (bass) and Sbu Zondi (drums). They will be joined by local musicians and UKZN jazz staff Neil Gonsalves (piano), Debbie Mari (vocals), Mageshen Naidoo (guitar) and Susan Barry (piano). Also on the bill is the usual appearance of the UKZN Big Band and close-harmony jazz vocal group, UKZN Voices, as well as Johannesburg-based Afro-Jazz fusion band Four Fourty. The evening will end with the UKZN jazz programme’s senior student ensemble.
One of the first South African bands to perform at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, Four Forty has shared the stage with several local and international acts including the legendary Bheki Mseleku, Mcoy Mrubata and Abigail Khubeka and was the opening act for Kirk Whalum during his 2003 South Africa tour. The band has repeatedly been nominated for several South African music awards. Four Forty features Vee Sabongo (saxophones), Mvuzo Dimba (piano), Steven Mabona (bass), Jerry Dibakoane (drums) and Speech Khoza (percussion)
Bassist Marc Duby began his professional career as bassist in 1972, obtaining the first South African masters’ degree in jazz performance (cum laude) in 1987. A prize-winning composer of film music, and active as a performer, music educator and composer/arranger, in 2006 he completed his PhD on Soundpainting, the sign language for live composition devised by New York-based composer/improviser Walter Thompson. In 2001, he was appointed as the first director of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band. In over 25 years as a music educator, he has taught and mentored many outstanding musicians who have gone on to successful careers as instrumentalists and/or producers. He has appeared on recordings with artists such as Darius Brubeck, Philip Tabane, Barney Rachabane, Tony Cox, Syd Kitchen, and Bruce Cassidy, to name a few. After 15 years at TUT’s department of jazz and popular music, he is now Professor and Head of Department of Music at Rhodes University. Marc Duby is married to the singer/composer Lydia vom Hagen.
The Jazz Jol starts at 19h30 on October 30. Tickets R80 (R35 students with valid student cards). Bookings through Angela on 031 260 3385. There will be a cash bar and plenty of prizes to give away during the evening.