Top female performers from around the world will this week grace the stages of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival, in the month in which South Africa celebrates its women.
When Newtown, Joburg - dubbed the City of Gold's cultural hub - is transformed into a hotbed of jazz music for three days from Thursday to Saturday, these explosive and memorable women will take centre-stage.
The organisers have provided an impressive line-up of international and local talent - ranging from American violin virtuoso Karen Briggs and world-renowned trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, to South African songstresses Judith Sephuma and Unathi Nkayi.
Other performers include Room 11 from The Netherlands, fronted by the funky and fabulous Janne Schra; American singer Arlee Leonard; and Rwanda's Somi, who is climbing the charts.
Also on the bill is SA's Sterling Electric Quartet (Sterling EQ), featuring Carina Bruwer (electric flute), Eriel Huang (electric violin), Magdalene Minnaar (electric violin) and Ariella Caira (electric cello).
Besides an abundance of jazz, the festival will also feature the hit musical stage show, Crazy For Jazz: Our Journey Through Music, which has been placed on the festival's educational programme, to encourage appreciation of the genre among younger fans, as well as broadening the appeal of the event.
Aimed at high schools, Crazy For Jazz: Our Journey Through Music runs in Newtown from today until Friday, with two shows daily, as part of the build-up towards the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz fest.
Says Mandie van der Spuy, Standard Bank's art sponsorship manager: "This is a first for Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and we are delighted to incorporate this initiative in the year that we celebrate our 10th anniversary.
"It teaches the youth about South Africa's jazz roots and encourages them in an appreciation of jazz itself, which helps build future audiences. It is also a compelling history of our country."
An A-list team of contributors was brought on board for the project: as musical directors, Standard Bank Young Artist Award-winner Concord Nkabinde and celebrated jazz musician Themba Mkhize; multi-award-winning choreographer Gregory Maqoma; and original direction by acclaimed director James Ngcobo.
The narrative is complemented by live performances of jazz classics, as well as audio-visuals featuring archive footage and historical recordings.
The Dinaledi Stage, erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, is to be transformed into a glamorous dinner revue venue for the festival's opening night on Thursday.
A ticket to the opening night includes a five-course, sit-down gala dinner and a full, premium bar and wine service, as well as a line-up that makes for an impressive evening.
On the bill are the Lao Tizer Band, featuring Briggs and Emmy Award-winning guitarist and composer Chieli Minucci.
The other international headline act is smooth-jazz guitarist and singer Norman Brown, who is often compared to George Benson.
The festival line-up features artists from America, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands, who will be joined by top performers from South Africa and the African Diaspora.
Giants of the jazz world include Switzerland's Grammy Award-winning Andreas Vollenweider; US pianist Bob Baldwin; showstopping American vocalist Phil Perry; Main Ingredient from America, with vocalists Cuba Gooding snr, Larry Moore and George Stanley snr; Spain's Sumrra; and Room 11.
Performers from the African continent include South Africa's Jonas Gwangwa, Jimmy Dludlu, Vusi Mahlasela, Brian Thusi, Kesivan Naidoo and the Nigerian All Stars, featuring Kúnlé Ayo and Rwanda's Somi.
- For more info on the line-up and venues, go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za