The 20th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz starts today and it boasts some of the world’s most distinguished names in the genre.
In addition to the three-day festival line-up, there will be workshops hosted by these stars for young South African artists.
Saxophonists Branford Marsalis and Joshua Redman, bassist Christian McBride, pianist Peter Beets, composer Roy Ayers and The Clayton Brothers will share their knowledge in a series of workshops from today.
WORKSHOP WONDER: Joshua Redman is teaching music at Tshwane School of Music in Eersterust. Picture: Supplied
The workshops form part of the journey to the main festival.
At the weekend, as part of the 20th milestone celebrations, creatives who have been involved in and contributed towards the jazz culture were honoured.
HONOURED: Caiphus Semenya accepts his award from Mncedisi Ndlovu. Picture: Supplied
Icons like Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Jonas Gwangwa, Sipho Mabuse, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu and Sibongile Khumalo were honoured at a gala dinner at Montecasino.
Jazz writers who have kept the vibrancy of the music alive were also honoured. Gwen Ansell, who has run the prestigious Cape Town International Jazz Festival Arts Journalism programme for many years, was honoured with Peter Feldman for their efforts. Radio presenters who have become synonymous with jazz music were also acknowledged. SA FM’s Ike Phaahla started presenting jazz music programmes on the radio in 1998. SA’s Got Talent judge and radio legend Shado Twala has decades of jazz music knowledge and promotion. Metro FM’s Nothemba Madumo, Radio 2000’s K.G Moeketsi and Kaya FM’s Brenda Sisane are jazz gurus whose voices have become synonymous with the genre.
GURUS: Shado Twala and Nothemba Madumo were honoured for their work in jazz. Picture: Supplied
Executive producer of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Peter Tladi of T-Musicman said it was a privilege to honour the people who have kept the lifeblood of jazz pumping in the country.
T-Musicman’s Mantwa Chinoamadi said their commitment to jazz was beyond entertainment.
“We know how important knowledge is in this industry, and while we have the privilege of working with the renowned artists who have been through the process, we impart that skill and knowledge to young aspiring artists,” she said.
The workshops are scheduled to take place at the Moses Molelekwa Foundation in Tembisa (Christian McBride), Music Academy of Gauteng in Benoni (Branford Marsalis), Tshwane School of Music in Eersterust (Joshua Redman), Wits School of the Arts in Braamfontein (The Clayton Brothers) and at the Vusi Mahlasela Music Development Foundation in Tshwane (Peter Beets) today. Tomorrow Roy Ayers will be at the Funda Centre in Diepkloof, Soweto.
EXPERTISE: Peter Beets will also host a workshop in Tshwane. Picture: Supplied
The Joy of Jazz will be hosted on four stages - Dinaledi, Conga, Mbira and Diphala - at the Sandton Convention Centre. The line-up includes Tutu Puoane, Thandiswa Mazwai, Salif Keita, Selaelo Selota, Tsepo Tshola, Brenda Mtambo, Musiq Soulchild, Bhudaza Mapefane, Zoe Modiga and Elisabeth Kontomanou.
Jazz lovers can get a two-day festival ticket for Friday and Saturday at R1350. Tickets are available at Computicket. For more information visit www.joyofjazz.co.za
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