July 19, 2005
By Lucky Sindane
A HOT jazz wind will blow through Jozi's cultural precinct at the end of August, when Newtown hosts the 2005 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Joburg International Festival.
The festival runs from 25 to 27 August.
World renowned jazz guitarists Stanley Jordan and Lee Ritenour, Grammy nominated saxophonist and composer Dave Koz and eminent jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves will headline the star-studded line up.
Talented local artists like Hugh Masekela, Themba Mkhize, Jonas Gwangwa, Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana and Zamajobe, to name a few, will also perform.
Speaking at the festival's launch, Peter Tladi, the chief executive of T-Musicman, said, "This is the festival where award-winners from home and abroad will be showcasing what they are made of.
Award-winners
"We are going to see a flood of award-winners coming to grace our stages, from the Samas to the Oscars, Grammys and Koras, to name a few. We will also feature the winner of the Ghana Music Awards."
The festival kicks off at the Standard Bank Arena on Thursday, 25 August with a performance by Ritenour and Koz, and South African pianist and songwriter Mkhize. Tickets prices are R125, R175, R200, R225 and R275.
On Friday, 26 August and Saturday, 27 August, there will be performances at eight venues in Newtown. Each venue will feature a different style of music.
"There is no doubt that the staging of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in the Newtown precinct has played an integral part in the regeneration of the inner city," said Khanyi Mlambo, Standard Bank's director group: sponsorships.
"And as Newtown emerges as one of the world's most exciting and dynamic cultural centres, Standard Bank has been central to its continued development."
A huge marquee will be put up on Mary Fitzgerald Square, which will host several of the festival's biggest names.
Newtown
Horror Café is the venue for poetry and contemporary jazz. The Laboratory will feature township smooth jazz; the Market Theatre will host mainstream vocal jazz artists.
About 14 development bands will have stage time at Nikki's Oasis and at the corporate stage, which will be between Horror Café and Shivava. Shivava will host traditional jazz music and the Bassline will showcase mainstream jazz.
North West will showcase up and coming artists from that province at Shivava.
"We invited all the provinces but only the North West province responded," Tladi explained.
Free workshops will be conducted, in places like Mogale City and Soweto, by international artists like Jordan, Reeves, Ritenour, Koz, Everett Green, Albert Beger and Rachelle Ferrell.
"The festival provides us with the space to develop, appreciate and celebrate the music heritage of South Africa," said Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo.
"This includes music from prominent local artists who have performed at Joy of Jazz festivals and shared this stage with internationally renowned musicians."
Premier
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa echoed the mayor's words. "The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival is one such event, which brings together new and established sounds in a celebration of South African music.
"Over a nine-year period it has established itself as a premier jazz event, providing a platform for countless new musicians who are now regarded as the cream of South African performers," he said.
Line up
Jazz Marquee - Steve Dyer, Lee Ritenour, Hugh Masekela, Jeffrey Osborne, Kunle, Dave Koz, Jonas Gwangwa, Albert Beger, Dianne Reeves and Stanley Jordan. Ticket prices range from R250 for standing and R350 for sitting.
Market Theatre - Everett Greene, Zamajobe, Rachelle Ferrell, NYJB and Thandiswa Mazwai. Entry is R300.
Nikki's Oasis - developing artists. Entrance is free.
Horror Café - Rex Omar, Umanji, Simphiwe Dana, Mzwakhe Mbuli and Kwani Experience. Tickets are R180.
The Laboratory - developing artists. Only invited guests may attend.
Bassline - Albert Beger, Steve Dyer, Stanley Jordan, Andile Yenana, Dianne Reeves and Kunle. Entry fee is R300.
Shivava - developing artists. Entrance is free.
Corporate Village - KS Jazz Band, Mac Jays, Water Colors and Bow and Arrow. Performances are by invitation only.
Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite and Checkers stores. For a complete programme visit T-Musicman.
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