Music workshops for the youth ahead of annual Joy of Jazz in Joburg

In the run-up to the event, and with South Africa having recently celebrated the 40^th anniversary of the student uprisings of 16 June 1976, the organisers of the Joy of Jazz are about to embark on an intensive music industry development project which is aimed at budding young musicians.

Dubbed ‘Geleza Kleva’, the initiative takes the form of a series of music industry workshops and masterclasses staged on 14, 21 and 28 July for young people and community members who have an interest in music. The Joy of Jazz team hopes these will help equip aspirant youth with guidelines on how to hone their musical talents while also building solid business acumen.

The programme follows the annual Jazz Cares programme, which saw the Joy of Jazz organisers stage a concert to entertain the elderly in Lenasia, Johannesburg on 1 June.

Geleza Kleva will ensure that students in three impoverished districts of Johannesburg - Diepsloot, Diepkloof and Chiawelo - receive advice and be exposed to various music disciplines, including songwriting and composition, arrangement, community music (bands and choirs), live performances, music marketing, organising and managing live music events, and the business of music.

Renowned musician and educator Concord Nkabinde will help facilitate this second chapter of the ‘Road to Standard Bank Joy of Jazz’ build-up. Youth will be tutored by industry heavyweights such as Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Ernie Smith and Nomfundo Xaluva, who will share their knowledge and experience.

“For 17 years we have supported the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz,” said Hazel Chimhandamba, head of Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank. “We are proud of the growth the event has achieved as well as the cultural and socio-economic impact it has on communities. This impact has been evident in inspirational projects such as Geleza Kleva.”

“To ensure that Johannesburg maintains its musical leadership role on the continent and grows to be a real global artistic powerhouse, we have to invest in our youth,” added Dudu Maseko, the City of Johannesburg’s Head of Department of Community Development. “We are happy that through major events in our city, we can bring value that will have future benefits.”

Joy of Jazz Executive Producer Mantwa Chinoamadi will join promoter Mandisa Bardill to share their insights on what it takes to organise a music event.

“It is through a deliberate effort to develop our youth that in years to come will we reap a bountiful harvest of musical greats,” said Chinoamadi. “We are delighted to have artistic luminaries, government and institutional support to make this programme a reality.”

All Geleza Kleva sessions will run from 8am to 3pm. Dates and venues are as follows:

• Thursday 14 July: Diepsloot Community Centre
• Thursday 21 July: Diepkloof Community Hall, Soweto
• Thursday 28 July: Chiawelo Community Hall, Soweto

To confirm your attendance, simply send an email with your name and number to [email protected] or [email protected]; or call 011 326 0141 to leave your name and number.

For updates and more details see the Joy of Jazz Facebook page.