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Monday, October 22, 2018

THE BIG JAZZ JOL IS BACK!


(Burton Naidoo)

The ever-popular annual Jazz Jol has a stellar line-up for this year’s edition that takes place at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, on October 27 at 19h00.

Celebrating its 30th year, the Jazz Jol features composer/pianists Burton Naidoo and Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane and the much-loved UKZN Big Band.

SAMRO award-winning Durban-born pianist, arranger and composer Burton Naidoo, will lead the UKZN Big Band, and will also perform his much-talked about compositional adventure Our Song. This work creates a backdrop for iconic speeches of President Nelson Mandela and other famous leaders of South African politics. Written for solo piano and track, the audience can expect speeches from the Rivonia Trial, Praise singing from Sthembile Mlangeni and Zolani Mkhiva at the inauguration, as well as FW De Klerk’s announcement to free Nelson Mandela at Parliament in 1990.

(Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane)

Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane, is a prolific young pianist whose academic and performance credentials speak volumes for the kind of passion and discipline he has for music. He tours extensively, has produced three albums in three years, and was recently nominated for the prestigious international Afrima Awards in the categories of best male in Southern Africa and best African Jazz.

Mashiloane is currently doing his PHD focusing on South African composers. He also finds time to teach and organise live music performances with his students focusing on South African composers.  Mashiloane will perform a selection of his own compositions inspired by the South African music landscape.

Speaking of his love for South African music and composers, Mashiloane says: “The musicians and composers that inspire me, are the ones that take pride in their identity and are not only driven by their musical skills, but also by their relevance and accuracy. It is so important that we embrace the different characters that our society breeds. If we do not do let our identity influence our music, the significance of being part of a society is lost.”

Mashiloane will perform with Menzi Cele and Zoe The Seed on vocals, Boyi Mokhatla on drums and Qhubekani Mthethwa on bass guitar.

The UKZN Big Band led by Burton Naidoo will perform some old Big Band favourites including Have you Met Miss Jones, Take the 'A' Train, and I've got You Under My Skin.

New arrangements from John Kordalewski, as well as arrangements by students Micale Leon, Phuti Mofakeng, Kgethi Nkotsi and Sinalo Zulu will be featured. And just to get everyone into a festive spirit, the Big Band will perform two Christmas Carols.

As a warm-up and precursor to the annual Jazz Jol, UKZN Jazz Ensemble will perform on October 24 at 18h00 at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Tickets R80 (R50 pensioners, R25 for students).

Proceeds from this concert as well as the Jazz Jol will go to the Ronnie Madonsela Scholarship that assists disadvantaged jazz students at UKZN with financial aid or support.

As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of this Scholarship, the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music is also proud to announce a legacy project of the release of a double CD of the Piano Passions concert held in Howard College Theatre earlier this year. The solo piano concert featured Prof Darius Brubeck and his former students and illustrious UKZN alumni, Melvin Peters, Nishlyn Ramanna, Burton Naidoo, Debbie Mari, Andile Yenana and Neil Gonsalves. To purchase contact Thuli Zama on 031 260 3385 or zamat1@ukzn.ac.za .

Tickets for the Jazz Jol are R130 (R90 pensioners, R70 students) and can be purchased at the door. The Centre for Jazz and Popular music (CJPM) is situated at Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College Campus.

Contact Thuli on 031 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za for more details.