There are beautiful performances not to be missed during the
second weekend of Jazztown in Grahamstown.
The Standard Bank Jazz Festival enters its second half with
great jazz performances and unmissable cultural experiences on offer at the
National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
Jazz lovers are in for a treat when 2016 Standard Bank Young
Artist for Jazz, Nduduzo Makhathini, presents music from his latest album, Ikhambi with One-Voice Vocal Ensemble.
The enterprising composer and pianist is fresh off a short series of gigs in
London at the British Academy and his Best Jazz Album win at the SAMAs.
Makhathini goes on stage with Swiss vocalists Julie Fahrer and Lisette Spinnler
alongside his longtime collaborators, singer Omagugu Makhathini and Linda Sikhakhane
on sax, bassist Nhlanhla Radebe and Ayanda Sikade on drums at the DSG Hall, on July
5.
In one of the most anticipated performances on the SA’s
contemporary jazz calendar this year, saxophonist McCoy Mrubata and pianist,
Paul Hanmer will celebrate 30 years of collaboration. The two have shared and
enjoyed a long and fruitful friendship and productive musical partnership. It
is this jazzman’s camaraderie that they will be celebrating at the DSG Hall on
Friday, July 6.
There’s reason Vusi Mahlasela has been affectionately
nicknamed The Voice. Mahlasela has built an international reputation with
visceral sounds and uplifting music that go to the hearts of his diverse and
loyal audiences. He’s at DSG Hall on July 6 and 7.
World Afrobeat composer and performer, versatile saxophonist
and dynamic vocalist Femi Koya is the new face of the African Renaissance.
Combining West African Highlife and Jazz plus South African Sofiatown with
nostalgic Afrobeat roots, his music delivers a rich blend of deep and sultry
sounds. He’s at DSG Hall on July 6 and 7.
The fresh new voice on South Africa’s musical landscape,
Amanda Black, is poised to give the performance of her life with her first ever
show at Jazztown. A truly Eastern Cape product, she was born in Mthatha and
raised in Butterworth and Port Elizabeth before moving to Johannesburg when her
star began to rise. She’s on the Guy Butler Theatre, Monument on July 6 and 7.
The festival will also present Afropoets, a unique musical
night that collects extraordinary musical and artistic talent on one stage.
This two-hour long treat will feature fresh sounds of urban folk music of the
legendary “King of the Zulu Guitar”, Madala Kunene, The Brother Moves On, a
South African performance art ensemble; and the new face of Afro-Folk,
Bongeziwe Mabandla, who is effortlessly able to entwine Xhosa lyricism into
fresh folk stylings to create something uniquely captivating. Afropoets is at
the Guy Butler Theatre, Monument on July 6 at 22h00.
“Jazz lovers will find that the quality of performances at
the Standard Bank Jazz Festival continues to grow, with a celebration of local
jazz traditions and a taste of the best in the world in the programme. It’s
going to be challenging and entertaining. We aim to live up to the prestige of
being Africa’s oldest jazz festival,” says Alan Webster, Festival Director of
the Standard Bank Jazz Festival.
Apart from the amazing music offered at SBJF, festival goers
will also have a wonderful time at the Village Green market where the Standard
Bank #Art_Is container will host jazz and comedy performances, talks and art
workshops by some of the great artists, comedians and industry leaders on the
festival programme. These specially curated sessions are free to art lovers who
enjoying a day out for great food and shopping in between shows.
For more information and details of all performances, visit www.standardbank.com/naf and www.youthjazz.co.za
Stay informed of the Standard Bank Jazz Festival by
connecting with Standard Bank Arts on Facebook: www.facebook.com/standardbankarts or Twitter:
@standardbankart #Jazztown #NAF18
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