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Jazz greats in Joburg
Lucky Sindane
23 August 2007
Some of the world's greatest jazz artists are in Johannesburg for the 2007 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, which features the most diverse and powerful line-up yet in its 10-year history.
The festival, taking place at a number of venues in Newtown, Johannesburg from 23 to 25 August, will bring four legendary South African jazz divas - Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka, Thandie Klaasen and Letta Mbulu - together on one bill.
Also lined up for the festival are local jazz giants Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, Stimela and Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, along with some of SA's hottest upcoming talent in the form of jazzy Afro-soul singer Siphokazi, Nokukhanya, Nombulelo Maqetuka and Shannon Mowday.
The international line-up is headed by US R&B star Freddie Jackson, as well as the Count Basie Orchestra, the first American big band to play in South Africa in about 30 years.
Other international artists on the bill are the Clarke/Duke Project,
featuring Stanley Clarke and George Duke; trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis; acclaimed fusion jazz band Pieces of a Dream; Israel's Common Bond; and France's No Jazz.
Harlem-born vocalist Jackson is expected to perform his best-loved hits in Joburg - hits like "Rock me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)", "You are my Lady" and "Jam Tonight" that made him one of the dominant black male jazz singers of the 1980s.
Jackson enjoyed a return to the charts with "It's your Move" in 2004, followed by the release of his tenth album, "Transitions", late last year. This year he is releasing an album of his greatest hits.
The Count Basie Orchestra – with an astounding 17 Grammy awards to its name - is the greatest swing band in history. The band recorded "One O'Clock Jump" in 1937 and never looked back.
Since Basie's death in 1984, the orchestra has been led by Basie alumni: first Thad Jones, then Frank Foster, followed by Grover Mitchell. The man at the helm today is trombonist
Bill Hughes, who first joined Basie in 1953.
Entrance to festival venues like Kippies, Sophiatown and Nikki's Oasis is free. Development bands such as Julia Lamberti and Signature, the Vusi Mahlasela Music School, TUT Music School and Black Mok will perform in these venues.
Tickets for other performances are available from Computicket and range in price from R280 to R380.
For more information, visit Standard Bank Jazz.
Source: City of Johannesburg
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The Count Basie Orchestra will be the first American big band to play in South Africa in about 30 years (Photo: Count Basie Orchestra) |
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