On Wednesday Green Market Square becomes THE place for music lovers as roads are closed and pubs and restaurants stay open until late into the night for the annual Free Community Concert.
Certain additional city services will be on hand to ensure a safe and secure environment and previous concerts attest that a great time will be had by all.
The Free Community Concert kicks off the public’s participation in this year’s 12th Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
The free concert – which takes place from 5pm to 11pm – boasts a stellar line-up of local and international artists.
Organisers have put together a special homage to fallen jazz legends who died in the past year. Alvin Dyers heads up a group of local musicians who will pay tribute to Winston Mankunku, Tony Schilder, Robbie Jansen, Donald Tshomela, Hotep Galeta, Ezra Ngcukana and Vincent Kolbe.
The Spirits Rejoice Tribute band will be joined by guest saxophonist Buddy Wells, pianist Mike Perry, guitarist Errol Dyers, trumpeter Ian Smith and singer Sylvia Mdunyelwa as it goes through tunes such as Schilder’s Montreal, Galeta’s Harold’s Bossa and Ngozi’s Crossroads.
Ready to show South Africa that Hong Kong has more to offer than Cantopop is Hong Kong-based Singaoporean artist Tan Hanjin. Fusing Chinese music with rock, pop and R&B with jazz, Hanjin’s debut album Raw Jazz saw the producer/songwriter thrust in the limelight and he’ll be performing at the free concert on Wednesday.
Also featured will be Sama winners Gang of Instrumentals (pictured), who have rocked the square before. Best known for songs like My Number One and Woza December, the group will offer a blend of soul, reggae, rock and kwaito.
Three-piece US band Tortured Soul will bring a touch of soul and disco to the square, while indie folk band Tribe of Benjamin (also US- based) will offer a harmonised set featuring the slide guitar, mandolin, didgeridoo and harmonica.
People wanting to attend the concerts can use their Metrorail train service into Cape Town and free additional late-night trains have been scheduled for after the show.
lThe Cape Town International Jazz Festival will take place on Friday and Saturday from 4pm on each day.
Details can be obtained at www.capetownjazzfest.com, or call 021 422 5653.