July 31, 2003
By Bongani Majola
VOCALIST Regina Belle and saxophonist Donald Harrison join an impressive line up of artists to perform at the Johannesburg International Jazz Festival at the end of August.
Connected live via satellite during the media launch in Rosebank on Tuesday of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival, Belle and Harrison promised to give South African audiences their best and expressed a willingness to work with young aspiring musicians.
"Though I have been to South Africa, I can't wait to be there again," Belle's voice beamed to members of the press, the organisers and sponsors. "It's an honour for me, as an African-American, to share my music with the people who have survived some of the toughest trials of life."
Belle said she would play songs from her first album and from her latest record - "definitely Baby Come to Me and If I Could", two of her most popular songs in the country.
Not to be outdone, Harrison added: "That South African jazz is great goes without saying." Harrison, who gave an impromptu performance on his saxophone, said he would be especially happy to share the stage again with South African guitarist Selaelo Selota.
"It would be wonderful to do a song with all of us together," added Belle, to a burst of approving applause. Belle and Harrison will be joined by other US artists, Joe Sample of the Crusaders fame, Spyro Gyra, Kenny Garrett, and Angela Bofill, as well as 4 Sure from the Netherlands and Alon Oleartchik from Israel.
They will play alongside a contingent of South African artists including internationally acclaimed trombonist Jonas Gwangwa, Bheki Mseleku, Don Laka and Selota, who were all present at the media launch.
For three days, Joburg audiences will revel in some of the best jazz sounds, including Oliver Mtukudzi, Sipho Gumede, Kapa Dech, Jimmy Dludlu, Absolute Zero, Shaluza Max, McCoy Mrubata, African Jazz Moods, the Malaika Jazz Band, Kamb Quartet and Mamelodi Phambili.
According to Peter Tladi of T.Musicman, chair and promoter of the festival, a total of five venues at the Newtown Cultural Precinct will be used. While the venue for the opening night is the Standard Bank Arena in Bertrams, where Sample, Harrison, Mtukudzi and Mseleku will be performing, the rest of the festival will utilise venues such as the Market Theatre, Turbine Hall, Kippies, Newtown Music Hall, Horror Café and Niki's Oasis.
"Over 250 musicians will converge in Newtown," said Tladi, "and there will be workshops held in the Newtown Music Hall and in Soweto. There will also be flea markets where CDs and jazz stuff will be sold, as well as food stalls and beer gardens. Newtown will breathe jazz."
Victor Nosi, Standard Bank's director of group communication, said he was proud of their commitment to both jazz and the rejuvenation of the inner city. "Our involvement in jazz started in 1997 with the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Today we are especially proud to have forged a special relationship with Tladi to bring together the cream of our local musicians and the world's top jazz artists."
Representing the South African Airways, one of the sponsors, Rich Mkhondo also expressed his gratitude at being associated with the event. "I grew up listening to jazz, so it gives me great pleasure for our company to be involved in such a great festival as the Joy of Jazz."
Joe Sample
(Photo copyright - Montreux Jazz Festival)
Closing the proceedings, master of ceremonies and veteran broadcaster Mesh Mapetla observed that "young people are increasingly getting into jazz, a phenomenon that is worldwide".
The Johannesburg International Joy of Jazz Festival kicks off on 28 August at the Standard Bank Arena, and then moves to various venues in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. Tickets are available at Computicket. For a complete line up of artists and dates, visit www.joyofjazz.co.za.
