Top stars to light up this year’s Joy of Jazz festival
17 August 2016
South African-born jazz maestro Jonathan Butler and celebrated Lady of Song Sibongile Khumalo will headline this year’s star-studded Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Now in its 19th year, the three-day internationally acclaimed jazz show – which is backed by the City of Johannesburg – is expected to be much bigger and better than its preceding editions. The showpiece will take place on four stages on 15, 16 and 17 September.
Other artists who will grace the extravaganza include jazz giants such as Gerald Albright, Bob James, José James, Houston Person, Kendrick Scott and Kahil El’Zabar. The stellar lineup reinforces the show’s status as South Africa’s foremost jazz festival, and one of the best on the continent. Albright and Butler will kick-start the festival. James, the two-time Grammy Award-winning smooth jazz all-rounder, South African legends Barney Rachabane, Khumalo and 2015 Grammy Award-winning flautist Wouter Kellerman, Lira, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Judith Sephuma and Ringo Mandligozi are sure to bring the house down.
Event Executive Producer Peter Tladi of T-Musicman is delighted with the lineup.
“We spend a great deal of time searching for artists who will appeal to a broad base of music fans. We want to present a diverse range of jazz styles inclusive of the giants of jazz and the young lions. This year’s lineup is truly international and inspirational. We’re particularly delighted to bring audiences some exciting and innovative collaborations this year,” he said.
Jenny Pheiffer of the Standard Bank Group said: “Our continued support for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has seen this prominent social music fixture become one of the continent’s premier jazz festivals. We look forward to celebrating a rich and warm blend of African and international jazz in the heart of Johannesburg, bringing jazz lovers together in a truly united and global celebration of jazz and its heritage.”
Exciting collaborations are on the cards, too. The Graz Roots Project celebrates local composers and musicians who have influenced mbaqanga, mgqashiyo, maskandi and African jazz. It features stars such as Billy Monama, Concord Nkabinde, McCoy Mrubata, Lwanda Gogwana, Mduduzi Mtshali, Paki Peloeole and Themba Mokoena.
El’Zabar, firebrand percussionist and leader of the legendary Ritual Trio, features jazz tenor saxophonist Teodross Avery and the incredible vocalist Dwight Tribble, who makes his second return to the festival.
Senegalese bass player and vocalist Alune Wade bring the Havana-Paris-Dakar project to this year’s festival featuring Argentinian pianist Leonardo Genovese. US vocalist Deborah J Carter teams up with Paul van Kessel from the Netherlands for New York Round Midnight. Trumpeter Feya Faku presents the Swiss Unit Project with Swiss musicians Domenic Landolf (tenor sax, alto flute), Jean-Paul Brodbeck (piano), Fabian Gisler (acoustic bass) and Dominic Egli (drums).
Jazzophiles can buy a day pass with access to either Friday or Saturday or a two-day pass for Friday and Saturday. Tickets are on sale at Computicket. A one-day pass costs R750 and a two-day pass R1 250.
Standard Bank cardholders pay 10% less. The discount for cardholders at Computicket or online is 15%. The offer is limited to two tickets per person.
Bookings can be made at www.joyofjazz.co.za or www.standardbank.com/sponsorships
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