(Spha Mdlalose)
With
Women’s Month on the horizon, female artists are set to dominate this year’s first
annual Imbokodo Jazz Festival, which will take place against the backdrop of
breathtaking harbour views at the N-Shed Cruise Terminal facility in the Port
of Durban on August 12, 2017. The event is hosted by community based non-profit
organisation, iTheku Regional Jazz Association (iTReJA), an affiliate of the
South African Jazz Appreciators Association (SAJAA).
SAJAA
Chairman Mncedi Zulu said the Imbokodo Jazz Festival aims to celebrate outstanding
females in the local jazz scene.
“We’re
showcasing a stellar line-up of established and emerging female jazz artists, but
also striving to encourage youth participation in jazz activities, in order to
offer them an alternative outlet for creative expression. Ultimately events
like this contribute towards ensuring the sustainable development of jazz in
the region and beyond,” he said.
Zulu
said the previous Imbokodo Jazz Session is being repositioned as the Imbokodo
Jazz Festival and will be developed over time to entrench itself as Durban’s
unique women-only jazz showcase.
“We’re
working to ensure that women will run and participate in Imbokodo, from
organising to production to artists. Imbokodo Jazz Festival aims to join the
Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival as the
crème de la crème of South African Jazz Festivals,’’ said Zulu.
The
Imbokodo Jazz Festival is curating an impressive line-up set to please Durban’s
discerning jazz loving public. Artists confirmed thus far include crowd
favourite Feya Faku Quartet featuring the award-winning bassist/vocalist Chantal
Willie-Petersen, emerging powerhouse vocalist Lindiwe Maxolo, Durban-born jazz
singer, songwriter and voice-over artist Spha Mdlalose, and soulful singer
Xolisa Dlamini. More artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
ITReJA
members are affiliated to the South African Jazz Appreciators Association
(SAJAA), which represents jazz appreciation associations and societies across
the country that have become an integral feature of South Africa’s jazz culture
and heritage.
The
Imbokodo Jazz Festival is anticipated to become a major highlight in the
KwaZulu-Natal events’ calendar and promises to celebrate this much-loved
musical genre while entertaining jazz lovers.
The
Imbokodo Festival takes place at N-Shed in the Port of Durban on August 12, 2017
from 13h00 to August 12 at 01h00.Tickets R300 can be purchased through www.imbokodojazzfestival.co.za
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