SA: Joy of Jazz to host music business workshops

The initiative hopes to equip aspirant young people who have an interest in music with guidelines on how to hone their musical talents while also building solid business acumen.

The dates and venues for the workshops are as follows:

• 6 July – Westbury Community Centre

• 13 July – Tshepisong Multipurpose Centre

• 20 July – Yeoville Recreation Centre

Standard Bank Joy of Jazz executive producer Mantwa Chinoamadi said he was excited that the workshops were receiving support. "It is through a deliberate effort to develop our youth that in years to come we will reap a bountiful harvest of musical greats,” he said. “We are delighted to have artistic luminaries, government and institutional support to make this programme a reality.”

The head of group sponsorships Standard Bank, Hazel Chimhandamba, said: “It is important for us to be able provide a solid base and knowledge for the next generation of music industry businesses.”

Well-known South African musician, composer and mentor Concord Nkabinde said artists were great when it came to performing, but were often lacking on the business side of things.

Author, musician and Wits lecturer Jonathan Shaw will be one of the speakers at the workshops. He will address the topic How the Music Industry Works. Shaw is also an author who wrote the book South African Music Business.

The workshops will also cover topics such as Different Careers, Composing and Songwriting, Performing and the Live Music Scene, Concerts & Events, Production and Management, and Composing Music for TV and Film. These topics will enable learners to receive advice as well as get exposed to various music disciplines such as songwriting, music composition, arrangement, playing music communally (bands and choirs), live performances, marketing, organising and managing musical events, and the business of music.

The project was started in 2014 when organisers saw a need to educate emerging artists. Entry to the workshops is free.