Afro-Soul to Choral, Jazz to Classical - The
Sounds of #NAF2023
It's just two weeks to go until the National Arts Festival returns and there are even more reasons to make the trip to Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) from June 22 to July 2 this year. Here are some of the highlights of what to expect on the music programme at #NAF2023.
Youth and Passion Top-up the National
Jazz Festival
Now in its 36th year, the National Jazz Festival, Makhanda has become a barometer of South African jazz and this year its brimming over with spirit and a new generation of young jazz artists who are reshaping the genre.
(Right: The Nomadic Orchestra)The Nomadic Orchestra is all set for
NAF2023
The focus is on new and young voices
because the Jazz Festival acts as an engine room for jazz succession,
mentorship and networking in South Africa through the National Youth Jazz
Festival; a programme that gathers over 250 young musicians from schools,
universities and informal institutions from around the country, to join the
Festival, learn from each other and be inspired by the professional jazz heroes
on stage. Many musicians on the programme at this year’s Festival took part in
the National Youth Jazz Festival when they were students, and now return to the
main stage.
Kesivan Naidoo brings his Big Band to the Festival
The programme includes The Nomadic
Orchestra, Babalwa Mentjies, Reza Khota and Tara Sarter multi-instrumentalist
Darren English and vocalist and music educator Natalie Rungan. A high point is
undoubtedly the Kesivan Naidoo Big Band, led by the iconic drummer, whose jazz
career began in Makhanda in 1995 with his selection to the National Schools
Jazz Band. In a tribute to the Festival that he credits as a formative part of
his career, Kesivan brings an impressive ensemble of South African and Swiss
musicians that will play two shows at the Festival. Visit the website to see
the rest of the programme and the great line-up of jazz artists and bands.
(Left: Msaki)
Msaki's Epic Journey
Msaki is the 2022 Standard Bank Young
Artist for Music and her Festival works are an extraordinary journey into
creativity at a pivotal moment in her life and career. She will also be marking
her final performative appearance before a period of reflection and renewal.
Her works encompass a Guy Butler stage performance titled Embo Time Travel
Experiment. Her first show on the June 30 sold out in 48 hours, but another
one is due to be released for July 1 at 18h30. Bookings for this second show
open at noon on June 10, 2023, set a reminder to head for her showpage at noon
tomorrow to grab those hot tickets.
Msaki presents multiple works at NAF2023
Msaki will also hold a series of Ngoma
Technology Workshops during the Festival in partnership with the Black Power
Station. This includes an indigenous instrument-making workshop facilitated by
KHNYSA and a discussion about the legacy of traditional music legend Madosini,
as well as a creativity workshop with Msaki and a celebration of ancient future
sounds and alternative Africa music through concert series ALTBLK >> FM.
(Right: Ami Faku)
Ami Faku and Vusi Nova Supercharge the
Stages of NAF
The sounds of South African superstar Vusi Nova and the resonant voice of soulful singer, Ami Faku, will fill the Guy Butler Theatre in Makhanda’s Monument over the two Festival weekends. Vusi Nova takes the stage on June 24 at 20h00 and Ami Faku appears in two performances, one on Saturday July 1 at 21h30 and the other, an afternoon matinee, at 14h00 on the last day of the Festival (July 2).
(Left: Vusi Nova)
Vusi Nova and Ami Faku
Both artists hail from the Eastern Cape; Nova leaving his New Brighton home at the age of 14 to pursue a career in music, and Faku growing up in Ezinyoka, where her father was a pastor, her early years filled with song. The artists share their heritage with another big music name on the bill at this year’s Festival. Eastern Cape born and raised Msaki will be performing at the NAF as the 2022 Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) for Music this year.
Classics to Escape Into
(Above: The Boston Youth Orchestra - image Hilary Scott)
In a real treat for classical music lovers,
the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing two concerts at the
National Arts Festival; an evening performance in the Guy Butler Auditorium on June 23 and a Family Concert on June 24 at 11h00.
Richard Dyer, former Chief Music Critic of
the Boston Globe
(Left: Dikelo Mamiala)
Getting Behind the Mic on Fringe
The Fringe is packed with music across diverse genres, with works that include Gqeberha's own punk-fusion band Undead Generation, a batch of cabaret works from Wela Kepela including NEXT! , Vincent and Mad About the Boys and the exhilarating Kwantu Choir who are based in Makhanda.
(Right: Kwantu Choir - image Mark Wessels)
Families look out for Shrek the Musical JR from Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts who are also bringing Afrika Sings! to the Festival. Standard Bank Ovation winners, The Muffinz will be back at The Black Power Station; and their ticket price includes a warm vegetarian meal to enjoy next to the bonfire!
(Left: The Muffinz)
Great discounts for Standard Bank customers
Standard Bank cardholders qualify for a
discount of up to 25% when using a valid Standard Bank debit, cheque or credit
card to purchase tickets for the National Arts Festival. The discount is
applicable to online purchases or at the Festival Box Office. This offer is
subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
Making it possible
The National Arts Festival is made possible
through the generous support of partners, the Eastern Cape Government,
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Standard Bank. They would also like
to acknowledge HEINEKEN Beverages, the National Arts Council, Eastern Cape
Parks and Tourism Agency, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Sarah Baartman
District Municipality, Makana Municipality and Business and Arts South Africa
as well as the Social Employment administered by the Industrial Development
Corporation.