The upcoming Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival comprises The Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, Steel Band Festival and Marimba Festival. It showcases the best young talent from around the country. MARIE-CLAIRE DE VILLIERS chats to the three leaders of the project: –Ann Barr, who heads up the jazz bands component, David Wickham, leader of the Steelband project and Gavin Bolton from Woodworx Marimbas
Why should we watch a show of young performers who are not yet professionals?
Ann: A large proportion of these young musicians could give the professionals a run for their money. Their behaviour and music ability is of a very high standard.
David: The steelbands performing have been working on their various arrangements for the past year, and there are many excellent players, some of whom have been in a performing band for many years. The compositions also span a wide range of periods and genres. There will also be a performance of a combined item using three steel bands arranged and conducted by premier steelpan player Dave Reynolds.
Gavin: I feel that it’s part of the beauty of the show – you get to experience the raw energy and passion of young learners giving their all for this opportunity to perform.
What will each concert showcase?
Ann: The Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival will be showcasing 23 school, community and college big bands.
David: The Steelband Festival will showcase some of the top steelbands in the province in an exciting and varied programme.
Gavin: T he Marimba Festival will only be showcasing marimba bands performing on the African marimba, primarily those taught by Woodworx Marimbas. The evening concludes in a mass marimba and drum band, with all 155 learners on stage performing together.
What kind of music can we expect?
Ann: At the Big Band Festival you will hear big band swing, be it either good old fashion standards, or newly composed South African music.
David: Everything from classical, and traditional to jazz, Mi Casa and Rihana.
Gavin: Pop covers like Firework, Am I Wrong, Locked out of Heaven and Eye of the Tiger, mixed in with African pieces like Pata Pata and Solomon Linda’s Mbube(In the Jungle).
This is an enormous undertaking, seeing as there are so many schools and different groups involved. Where does your passion for making this happen stem from?
Ann: The Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival started off as a one night affair as a fundraising event in 1999 and was organised by my late husband and myself. It was such a success that people asked, “are you going to do this every year?”. In 2002 my husband passed away and since then I have been undertaking the organising of the festival by myself. He has left such a wonderful legacy behind for young musicians, it was the only big band festival in the country until 2012 when I was approached by SAMRO to set up such a festival in Johannesburg. I get great joy from watching and listening to these young musicians.
David: Seeing talent emerge and giving enjoyment and entertainment to the people.
Gavin: The joy of seeing someone learn what you have shown them and be able to make it their own and perform it whilst having fun, is indescribable.
Are there any rising stars?
Ann: Adele Douw who is a vocalist with the Delft Big Band – she could be the next Ella Fitzgerald. In the past we have produced many rising stars who originally started performing with either school big bands or the SA College of Music and they have gone on to make their mark on the national and international music scene. These include Kesivan Naidoo, Melissa van der Spuy, Judith Sephuma, Nontuthuzelo Elaine Puoane (Tutu), Dan Shout, Nicki Schrire, Chris Engel and Darren English.
David: Yes, but watch closely, because it's not for us to pick out individuals, as the emphasis is on the group and playing together.
Gavin: We have many talented bands as a whole and within those many exceptionally talented learners. I will single out two bands however – the amaWolseley Marimba Band and the Senior Marimba Band from Ned Doman High School. The amaWolseley marimba band has already proven to be a force to be reckoned with, having performed in Los Angeles and Dubai in 2014, and the Ned Doman marimba band is at a point where their skill is so great and repertoire so large, that they are starting to compose their own songs.
What are each of your favourite numbers that will be performed?
Ann: Unfortunately at this stage I cannot tell you what music arrangements will be performed at the 2015 festival. But here are a few numbers performed at the 2014 festival which I really like: Children of Sanchez, Tenor Madness, Take Five, Manenberg and Birdland.
David: There's an interesting version of Pata Pata being performed by a combined band.
Gavin: Special Star as it is one of my all-time favourites on the marimba.
S teelband performance is quite a unique genre which is not traditional to South Africa. What are its origins and why it is performed here?
David: It originated in Trinidad in the Caribbean around the 1940's. The music is played on recycled 44 gallon oil drums, which is a very African concept and the Caribbean is one of the main centres of the African Diaspora.
What has been the best part of the process to get to this stage?
Ann: Interacting with young musicians, interest from big bands from other parts of SA and international big bands who have participated in the festival.
David: Getting to know professional musicians who have performed in the festivals and have undertaken workshops for our young musicians. Hearing that the festival is the highlight of the school calendar.
Gavin: Watching the bands perfect their performance and seeing their elation at having “nailed” their piece amount to great pride and sounds of triumph coming from themselves towards one another and the band.
l Steel Band Festival is on Thursday, The Marimba Festival is on Friday and the Cape Town Big Band Festival runs from June 3 to 6. All shows are at the Baxter Concert Hall. Tickets: R50 – R100, or R350 for all four nights of the Big Band Fest Book: 0861 915 8000, ctbigbandjazz fest.co.za