It’s time for all that joy and jazz
Sandton, Gauteng’s financial capital, will be transformed into a mecca of jazz when hundreds of jazzophiles and jazz connoisseurs descend on the Sandton International Convention Centre for the annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival next weekend.
Having taken over the hosting rights from the Newtown Precinct this year, the convention centre will be the place to be for jazz lovers from September 25 to 27.
Grammy Award-winners Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves and Roy Hargrove, as well as Billy Ocean, Delfeayo Marsalis, Sibongile Khumalo and Jonas Gwangwa, are some of the internationally renowned artists who will transport jazz lovers into a state of ecstasy at this year’s edition of Joy of Jazz.
Local artists Tutu Puoane and Feya Faku’s quintet will fly the national flag proudly at this annual musical showpiece, which has not failed to attract audiences from inside and outside the country every year.
Porter – a jazz, soul and gospel singer, songwriter and actor – whose modified flat cap makes him stand out in a crowd, released his debut album, Water, in 2010. The offering was nominated for the Best Jazz Vocal Album category at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.
Porter’s second album, Be Good, which contains many of his compositions, was released on February 14 2012, and garnered critical acclaim for both his distinctive singing and compositions such as Be Good (Lion’s Song), Real Good Hands and On My Way to Harlem. The title track was also nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance category at the 55th annual Grammy Awards.
When asked in an interview conducted by George W Harris on the Jazzweekley.com website on 3 November 2012: “What’s with the ubiquitous hat,” Porter replied: “I’ve had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while and will continue to be for a while longer. People recognise me by it now. It is what it is.”
Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Councillor Parks Tau says: “The festival is moving north but it is still firmly part of the City of Joburg. It was held in the CBD for 16 years and put Newtown on the entertainment map.
“However, it grew too large for the available infrastructure, hence the move. It will continue to promote Johannesburg as a world-class city and bring visitors to our city.”
The 2014 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is produced by T-Musicman and brought to audiences by Standard Bank in association with the Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Provincial Government and South African Tourism.
Tickets are on sale at Computicket. Standard Bank customers qualify for a 15% discount. A one-day pass costs R750, giving access to 16 acts. A two-day pass is R1 250.
A festival pass gives jazz fanatics access to the three main stages – Dinaledi, Conga and Mbira.