SA: Joy of Jazz 2019 begins with big band bang

The mood set by these bands was proof that this year’s JOJ will be an event that will be remembered for a long time, judging by the reaction of the audience. Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe as well as Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa and Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba were in attendance and had their eyes glued to the stage so they could absorb the energy of the big bands on display.

The Standard Bank Young Artist All Star Jazz Band was first on stage with four segments amid applause, whistles and ululation. Veteran South African singer Sibongile Khumalo received a standing ovation for playing a coordinating role in her group. Renowned jazz artist Nduduzo Makhathini exhibited his dexterity with the piano alongside Mark Fransman on trombone and Kesivan Naidoo on drums. The mood reached the next level when Cape Town-based Shannon Mowday, accompanied by Concord Nkabinde (bass guitar), Mark Fransman (piano) and Kesivan Naidoo (drums), mesmerised the crowd that hummed to such compositions as ‘Walk Tall’ and ‘Dancing the Heart’. The fusion of instruments produced a well-knitted set whose sound swiftly oozed through the ears of jazz lovers who thronged the Dinaledi Stage.

Gloria Bosman and her team concluded the Standard Bank Young Artist All Star Jazz Band segment. The Soweto-born singer had the support of pianist Afrika Mkhize, guitarist Victor Masondo, trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni and Naidoo. Armed with powerful vocals, Bosman and her backing musicians displayed their virtuoso playing abilities that left the crowd eager for more.

Enter the Battle of the Big Bands

Marcus Wyatt’s ZAR Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra were the most anticipated acts of the night. The two ensembles took to the stage at the same time and had rotational performances to showcase their swing prowess. Their performance, which marked the end of Joy of Jazz’s opening night, is one for the books.

The ZAR Jazz Orchestra, which comprises 17 members, was the first to perform while Marsalis and his top-class musicians followed the proceedings with mind-boggling precision. Before taking the horn, Wyatt played the conductor role and led the band into a beautiful mixture of Mihi Matshingana's powerful vocals and a fusion instruments that captured the attention of every soul in the room, while ‘Rainbow Nation’ was among the compositions the ZAR Jazz Orchestra played.

Photographers had a tough time trying to get a clear shot of the nine-time Grammy winner Marsalis, who was seated in the last row. Those who didn’t know Marsalis came to know him when he introduced his band at the end of each movement as well as the leading role he quietly played while directing his members during the performance. Among the compositions performed by Marsalis were Jonas Gwangwa’s ‘Emaxhoseni’ and ‘Yes Sir, That’s My Baby’.

The second day of Joy of Jazz continues with performances from Manu Katche (France), Don Laka (South Africa), the Standard bank National Youth Jazz Band and many others.