Joy of Jazz celebrates 20 years

This year’s gig will see 30 performances from various countries and jazz idioms performing on three days and four stages.

The line-up includes Hugh Masekela (SA), Abdullah Ibrahim (SA), Caiphus Semenya (SA), Jonas Gwangwa (SA), Branford Marsalis (US), The Clayton Brothers (US), Musiq Soulchild (US), Christian McBride (US), Nnenna Freelon (US) and the Joshua Redman Quartet (US). They will be joined by Dutch pianist Peter Beets, who will be performing with his trio, and French singer Elisabeth Kontomanou.

Adding to the list of local artists are Tutu Puoane, the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band, Thandiswa Mazwai, Nduduzo Makhathini, Herbie Tsoaeli, Ayanda Sikade, Brenda Mtambo, Mthunzi Mvubu, Phinda Matlala Mtya, Sisonke Xonthi, Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers and Selaelo Selota.

Joy of Jazz executive producer Peter Tladi, who heads the T-Musicman concert promotion company, will use the event to celebrate 30th years in the industry. He said this year’s line-up suits the hard work and passion invested to create one of Africa’s most important jazz festivals.

“We, as festival producers, spend a great deal of time both here and overseas seeking out artists who we believe will appeal to a wide spectrum of music fans. We want to present a diverse range of jazz styles inclusive of the giants of jazz and the upcoming young lions,” Tladi said.

“There is something for everyone in this year’s line-up, which we believe is international and truly inspirational. The event reinforces its status as South Africa’s foremost jazz festival and one of the best on the African continent, thanks to our stellar line-up of musicians."

Younger musicians at the festival include SAMRO Overseas Scholarship winner Zoe Modiga, 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for jazz Benjamin Jephta, Brenda Mtambo and the Madiba Bay Jazz Orchestra, which will feature special appearances by Phinda Matlala Mtya and Sisonke Xonti.

Standard Bank’s head of group sponsorship, Hazel Chimhandamba, paid tribute to Tladi. “We’d like to congratulate T-Musicman on this significant milestone. It is an incredible achievement to have produced a world class festival every year for the past 20 years and we’re proud to have been part of that journey for 18 of those years,” Chimhandamba said.

Tickets for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival are available via Computicket. For more information, visit the event’s official website.