33ND ANNUAL UKZN JAZZ JOL

 

(Above: Mthobisi Mthalane -keyboard)

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents the 33rd annual UKZN Jazz Jol on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at 17h00. Headlining this year’s Jazz Jol is the Melvin Peters Quartet.

(Left: Melvin Peters)

 This year’s Jazz Jol promises to be yet another exciting one, as it features some of the best jazz musicians and groups in Durban with a connection to UKZN. The main act for the Jol, The Melvin Peters Quartet, an all-star band. The quartet consists of Melvin on piano, Joburg based bassist and Dalisu Ndlazi on bass, George Ellis on drums and Feya Faku on Trumpet. Fezile “Feya” Faku who needs no introduction is a trumpet and flugel horn player from New Brighton, PE.

 

(Right: Feya Faku – trumpet)

WOMUZO is a mentorship project for young women instrumentalists with an interest in jazz and South African contemporary music. 

A project of the UKUSA Arts Programme, WOMUZO (6-piece all-women band) is supported by the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra and eThekwini Municipality. Also on the bill this year are the UKZN Large Ensemble and the UKZN Pop Voice Ensemble.

 

UKZN Large Ensemble

The UKZN Large Ensemble is an open ensemble that invites players from the community to join with UKZN jazz instrumentalists to offer our students the larger jazz ensemble experience. This, in the absence of the UKZN Big Band due to an insufficient number of horn players in the program. The program features compositions and arrangements created specifically for the ensemble by Neil Gonsalves. 

(Right: Dalisu Ndlazi - double bass)

 

The UKZN Pop Voice Ensemble lecturer Mbuso Nxumalo is excited to bring the talented vocalists to the Jazz Jol. “Objectives for the semester (a few topics from my upcoming vocal teaching method book) – sound quality development and techniques, sight reading- rhythm and pitch, musicianship – sense of ensemble and music arrangement – stage craft and performance techniques – and music leadership. And humble appreciation to Debbie Mari her constant encouragement and mentorship, truly and God sent”. Mbuso Nxumalo.

Proceeds from the Jazz Jol accrue to the Ronnie Madonsela scholarship that supports jazz students at the University.

Booking is essential; tickets are R200 (R150 for pensioners and R100 for students). Please contact zamat1@ukzn.ac.za or 031 260 3385 for bookings and enquiries