The City of Durban
is preparing for one of KwaZulu-Natal's biggest music festivals this December.
World Jam Music Festival will take place over a two-day period on the weekend
of December 6 and 7 and the organisers have not forgotten their CSI
responsibilities.
Says Craig
Clay-Smith of the Flagship Group and Communications Director for World Jam Music Festival: " Our CSI
Programme will focus on the development of Arts and Culture and one of our
strategies is a music and performer Talent Search taking place in various towns
through KwaZulu-Natal as we lead up to the
festival event. "
Young people will
be invited to participate in these staged events where a prestigious panel of
judges will identify emerging artists in each region.
Babo Ngcobo is a
multi-award winning gospel artist, accredited for best songwriter, best
producer and best male artist in his category. Ntokozo Ngongoma is a name many
people recognize for his talented involvement as musical director in Florida Road - Bollywood Movie and for
producing, writing for and directing artists such as Sfiso Ncwane (gospel
musician) and the duo Sdwili and Babo (representing the nation at New Zealand
2011 Rugby World Cup) to name but a few of his credits.
The panel will be
completed with the selection of one judge from each city, most of whom
represent either a community radio station or a television channel.
The Talent Search takes
place as follows:
September 13 - 14: Richards Bay: 1KZN TV
Studio, 71 Dollar Drive
September 15 - 16: Ulundi:
Indonsa Arts and Crafts Centre, Section A
September 17 - 18: Newcastle: Amajuba Hall, 83
Allen Street
September 19 - 20: Pietermaritzburg:
Winston Churchill Theatre, 2 Leicester Street, Scottsville
September 22 - 23: eThekweni
Community Church, 181 Anton Lembede (Smith) Street
September 25 - 26: Port Shepstone: St
Martin's Hall, 21 Aitken Street
The Final will take
place in Durban during the second week of November, but the venue is still to
be announced. An overall winner will be chosen, winning not only a grand sum of
R10,000, but also the opportunity to
perform on one of the World Jam Music Festival stages as part of his or
her winning experience.
Aspirant artists
and musicians interested in participating are asked to arrive at the venue in
their town and go to the registration desk to complete forms. They must bring
their ID Books with them and whatever they feel might enhance their performance
in the way of dress, effects and personal musical instruments.
Says Nick Nzama,
facilitator of the Talent Search on behalf of World Jam Music Festival: "The
first day rolls out with the audition commencing at 07h00 and those selected
will continue through the day rehearsing with a band and backline which we will
provide for the contestants. The second day will see finalists going through a
tougher audition and being put through their paces, after which we will select
the top three winners in each town."
Zama concludes that
contestants must be at least 18 years old and can participate in all genres
with exception of Gospel Music and Maskandi. "Those who are 21 and under
must provide written proof of their parent or guardian’s consent and no
professional musicians or performers are permitted to enter. This means no
artist or band signed to a record company, label or accredited management
company."
Festival Director, Beverley
Theron, adds: "The inclusion of a talent search within the World Jam Music
Festival programme is of huge significance as
the organizers see this as a perfect opportunity to assist in the
profiling of emerging young artists on a world class stage, a stage where
Durban and its sister-city relationships will provide for musical development
and mentorship exchanges and will become part of the programme as the annual
event rolls out in the forthcoming years."
For further
information on the Talent Search visit one of the following links or call
Zukiswa on 031 829 1640 or 078 979 1888 or visit http://www.worldjamdurban.com/
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