The Big Time!

The Big Band! gig at Artscapes Opera House on June 16 at 3pm Photo: Hannes Thiart

A UNIQUE cross-cultural music exchange between SA and France dubbed The Big Time! will see young local jazz talent perform with Paris-based quartet The Elephants at the Artscape Opera House on Youth Day, June 16.

Also included on the bill is guitarist Errol Dyers with George Werner on piano, Peter Ndala on bass and Carlo Fabe on drums.

“What’s musically interesting about the project is that there is a deviation from the traditional big band format with voice, piccolo, flute, tuba, bass trombone, acoustic bass, drums and various saxes creating a very different sound. In addition, the mix of cultures – from French jazz to Cape brass marching tradition and improvisation – is very exciting,” says curator and music co-director George Werner.

The project is headed by The Elephants jazzman Braka, who has joined forces with Marcus Wyatt and Gareth Walwyn along with young brass band players from local townships to form the ensemble.

The 11-piece Big Time! band features young musicians chosen from the Delft Big Band, Little Giants and IMAD to collaborate with The Elephants quartet.

“Cape Town’s young township musicians will be exposed to a brand new international music experience, enabling them to travel to spaces and places beyond their usual environments, providing opportunities for growth on various platforms,” says the Artscape’s head of Audience Development, Marlene le Roux.

The French season here will continue through November and will be followed by a South African season in France in 2013 when band members will travel to France.

Open rehearsals for the Big Time! will take place from June 9 to 14 at the Artscape, in which young musicians may participate in horn and vocal technique workshops while being exposed to rehearsals for a professional show.

In the foyer before the show on Youth Day, June 16, concertgoers will be entertained by The Ocean View Youth Jazz Band, Ceres Crusaders, Stellenzicht Youth Band, Line Up and African Sky from Saldanha Bay and Omega Brass Band from Mitchells Plain.

There will also be a Career Expo for youth with disability, with 20 exhibitors.

On June 16 at 9.30am there will be masterclasses – suitable for beginner to intermediate musicians – in rhythm section performance and brass instruments.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments. – Arts writer

l See The Big Time at Artscape’s Opera House on June 16 at 3pm. Tickets are R70, pensioners R60 a ticket with valid ID. Block bookings are R60 a ticket for groups of 30 or more and school pupils (5 to 18 years). Tickets are R50 each for groups of 60 or more. To book, call Artscape Dial-a-Seat at 021 421 7695.