SAMRO Foundation to host No Musician Is An Island discussion in Joburg

The conversation will focus on international music career development and will feature jazz industry leaders such as international tenor saxophonist Alexander Beets (Netherlands), world-renowned bass guitarist Concord Nkabinde (SA) and pianist, composer and SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition laureate Bokani Dyer (SA).

The discussion aims to tackle challenges pertaining to international relationships and careers in the music business.

“The workshop will talk about how to grow your networks in order to develop professional careers not just in South Africa but abroad,” SAMRO Foundation manager James French told Music in Africa.

“Bokani’s career has managed to blow up just from connections given to him by Beets into serious venues in the UK and in the Netherlands. And that’s where the workshop is coming from.”

French went on to say that: “The speakers will be talking about the value of having international relationships and businesses. Alexandra Beets has ran international jazz festivals so he understands these relationships and brings enormous value to this.

"On the other hand, Concord Nkabinde has toured with the late Johnny Clegg and worked with numerous international artists so he is also a good person to speak to about international experience. And of course Bokani Dyer, having broken into the international market so recently, has got a fresh story to tell. He’ll be giving his perspective on what it’s been like from being a newcomer to getting into such serious venues and how he managed to corner the gigs.”

Participants can attend the workshop at the SAMRO Building at 20 De Korte Street from 2pm to 4pm.