The Standard Bank Jazz Festival,
Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its programme.
Blues/Funk/World Music is one of the genres that will be highlighted at the
festival this year, although it is just one part of the formidable line-up
which includes Mainstream, Afro-Jazz, Modern Jazz, Youth and the Standard Bank
Jazz and Blues Café.
Vocalist/guitarist Vusi Mahlasela has been
affectionately dubbed "The Voice" of South Africa in tribute to his
passionately soaring performances. With such a rich and vibrant sound this
"African folk" singer-songwriter has inspired many with his themes of
freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation. Mahlasela’s track-record boasts
performances at esteemed events such as at Nelson Mandela's Presidential
inauguration, the FIFA World Cup Kick Off concert, and Mandela's 90th Birthday
46664 celebration in Hyde Park, London, to name but a few. In 2012, the South
African Music (SAMA) Awards fittingly honoured him with a lifetime achievement
award for music. He is supported by Oupa Makhubela (guitar/vocal), Elwyn
Masango (bass), and Johnny Motuba (drums).
Since their inception in 2011, MiCasa has
taken South African audiences by storm. A groovy mix of urban house and jazz
influenced the band’s first album, Micasa Music, which went gold and won
several South Africa Music Awards in 2012, as well as numerous nominations. This
year saw them perform at the inauguration celebrations of Barack Obama.
Consisting of three core members, this young group hails from Johannesburg and
Port Alfred; and with such a prolific career in such a short space of time,
keep your eyes and ears fixed on this fire-starting trio. Grahamstown audiences
will see J'Something (vocal), Mo-T (trumpet), Dr Duda (producer & keyboard)
on stage with Carlo Jooste (bass), Lebo Mokhela (percussion), and Mike Mwale
(vocal).
The Soweto String Quartet is undeniably one
of South Africa’s most-loved music groups and their sound is always fresh,
vibrant and trendy, never failing to deliver an enchanting performance. With a
plethora of accolades and performance highlights the group is a force on the South
African music scene. The four members of the quartet are a political statement
in themselves - four African classical musicians from a South African township,
backed by a jazz rhythm section. It’s no wonder they are reportedly Nelson
Mandela’s favourite music group!
Bruut! is a funky group comprised of four
young, hip Dutch players: Maarten Hogenhuis (sax), Folkert Oosterbeeck (Hammond
organ), Thomas Rolff (bass), and Felix Schlarmann (drums). Their progressive
playing stretches the boundaries of traditional approaches to music, combining
a mix of funk, blues, dance and contemporary jazz to create a uniquely-titled
‘super-jazz’. Never lacking in musical ingenuity they constantly evolve to find
the niche of every new performance.
Saxophonist Rus Nerwich set out to have a
project that is simple, fun and musically rich; and it has come to fruition in The Collective Imagination – Under the
Poetree. Incorporating elements of the different styles he enjoys in a
contemporary musical context, he wrote more lyrically-orientated songs - things
he’d like to say more directly to the audience - with the intent and style of
Guru Jazzmataz, The Roots or Buckshot Lafonque with an African spin. Sparked by
the musical synergy between him and modern rap, Nerwich is backed by a solid
band of experienced jazzers; including the likes of Dave Ledbetter (guitar),
Andrew Lilley (piano), Wesley Rustin (bass), and Kevin Gibson (drums).
Slide guitar, harmonica, African blues
guitar and soul vocals all feature in the vibrant sound of Robin Auld. An
award-winning artist with an international CV spanning 20 albums, he has
performed and recorded around the world. Currently based in the UK, his music
has evolved from the pop sound of the early recordings that made him famous to
the contemporary mix of roots influences that make up his sound today. Over the
years many of Southern Africa's top musicians have appeared on his albums,
including the likes of Anton Fig, Louis Mhlanga and Johnny Clegg. He performs
in Grahamstown as a trio, with Schalk Joubert (bass) and Kevin Gibson (drums).
Joubert (bass) and Gibson (drums) extend
their collaborations to form a blues trio with guitarist Albert Frost. Frost is
an all-round master guitarist with a prolific career over 20 years and, with a
natural onstage charisma, he has performed on nearly every major stage in South
Africa. Although continually on a quest to re-invent himself, he returns often
to his first love – the blues. Voted as Best Blues Guitarist in South Africa by
Stage Magazine, he has performed internationally alongside the likes of The
Rolling Stones and REM.
This year will also see the establishment
of the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s
College, which will end each night with a great jazz show and a late night jazz
jam session or blues gig – a place where audiences can catch musicians letting
off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, featuring the likes of
Nduduzo Makhathini, saxophonist Dan Shout, Lee Thomson, Imbaula, and the Rick
van Heerden Quartet.
The 39th edition of the National Arts
Festival, Grahamstown will take place from June 27 to July 7 2013. Click on the
banner ad at the top of this page to link to the festival programme.
For more information check www.standardbankarts.co.za or www.youthjazz.co.za
The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is
presented with support funding from Institut Français, the French Institute of
South Africa and the Alliance Française Paul Bothner Music ProHelvetia Royal Netherlands
Embassy Royal Norwegian Embassy SAMRO Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz
Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund Jamey Aebersold Jazz
The National Arts Festival is sponsored by
Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape
Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press
and M Net.
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