THEATRE REVIEW: Jazztown

The cast of Jazztown

The cast of Jazztown

Published Nov 24, 2015

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SONGS FROM JAZZTOWN

DIRECTOR: James Ngcobo

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Tshepo Mngoma

SINGERS: Asanda Bam, Nomfundo Dlamini, Gugu Shezi, Siya Makuzeni, Tshepiso Tyam, Zandile Madliwa and hip hop artist Thami Tyam

BAND: Ezbie Moilwa (keyboards), Mpho Kodisang (piano), Ntokozo Zungu (guitar), Sakhile Nkosi (bassist), Samuel Ibeh (drums)

VENUE: John Kani Theatre at the Market

UNTIL: December 20

RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

Diane de Beer

It wasn’t just a celebration of the music, it signified the lighting of a flame for the six amazing young women singers.

Their sublime voices, the way it pulled together every song, their interpretation, and best of all, their attitudes, each portraying something about their particular personality, made this a special production that is both nostalgic, yet of today.

The women are backed by a group of musicians who truly know how to bring on the different rhythms, how to read the audience and to allow them to engage with the music.

Ngcobo wanted the music to speak to the audience, he didn’t want high-handed messages or anything to interfere with the women and their song. And that’s how he played it; simply and putting the music centre stage, softly, with accent and vitality and giving each one a solo spot to shine and allow their voices to tell the story.

Some hit the rafters with their volume, others could both scat and play the trumpet almost in tandem, while as a group, the voices both soothed and raised the roof. It’s that kind of show.

Paying tribute to the singers, composers and music mostly from the Eastern Cape and which was popular in the ’50s and ’60s, names like Gibson Kente and Miriam Mikeba keep popping up, making it a night to remember.

The idea of a hip hop kid jumping in and adding his take on all this nostalgia and soul-stirring music is an exciting one, but it didn’t work all the time. It has to be done with some velocity and the message has to hit you in the head and the heart, which it could have if delivered with more power.

Tyam knows what he wants to say and when you catch it, it takes your breath away but it’s not always audible and some of the impact is lost as you strain to hear. Perhaps the younger generation will pick up the message more easily, this being their kind of thing, yet it should flow easily across the auditorium.

“Twenty seven years is a long walk for freedom…” he reminds us of everything the struggle strove for, but then the next sentence disappears in the music and song.

It should hit you hard where it hurts and then, as suddenly, disappear, allowing for the impact it deserves.

This is a small quibble. With images also making their mark in-between and as a backdrop to songs, students protesting at the Union Buildings make their mark.

But more than anything, this is a night of letting loose, hanging back and allowing the music to set the tone.

With six spectacular voices raising the bar as a new generation sets the stage alight, let the music play and the songs soar.

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