August 20, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
RIGOROUS security measures will be in place during the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in a bid to ensure the safety of the audience and the artists.
Running from Thursday, 23 to Saturday, 25 August, the festival is now in its tenth year. It will be staged at an assortment of Newtown venues, including a specially designed Jazz Dome and an Mbira Stage, both to be erected at Mary Fitzgerald Square, so creating a versatile venue. Other venues taking part include Bassline and the Dance Factory.
According to Peter Tladi of T-Musicman, one of the festival organisers, members of the Johannesburg metropolitan police department and the South African Police Service will be deployed in Newtown to tighten safety and security.
Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar has confirmed this, saying that there will be regular police patrols. He says drivers should remember not to speed and to wear safety belts. "Don't drink and drive or drink and walk."
Divas Dorothy Masuku, Letta Mbuli and Miriam Makeba are part of the annual Joy of Jazz
He says people hide alcohol on their person, drinking and becoming rowdy during concerts. "They make the officers' work difficult." The public should co-operate with the officers and "enjoy themselves", yet bear in mind that everyone should be responsible. "Safety is paramount."
And, according to emergency management services (EMS) spokesman Malcolm Midgley, personnel from his unit will be on standby to lend a hand. "Our fire extinguishers will also be on site."
Midgley urges festival-goers "to give the EMS space to move around in case of any accident, otherwise they must enjoy themselves, behave and stay safe".
As part of the tight security measures, Bree and Jeppe streets, which link the city centre and Newton, will be barricaded between 6pm and 2am on show days.
This year the jazz festival celebrates its first decade and pays homage to Women's Month by acknowledging their emancipation. Among the women scheduled to perform are Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka and Letta Mbulu.
Fuelling the contemporary jazz line-up is Afro-soul singer Siphokazi, Nokukhanya Dlamini, Nombulelo Maqetuka and Shannon Mowday. They will be complemented by Sello Galane, Ray Phiri, Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, Stimela and Sipho Mabuse.
International artists on the bill include 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.
But the Count Basie Orchestra is the highlight of the festival. The American big band has won 17 Grammy Awards, and the appearance at the Joy of Jazz is the first time a big band is playing in South Africa in 30 years.
R 'n B and jazz artist KEM will perform alongside the likes of The Moreira Project and Nigerian Afro-jazz guitarist, singer and composer Kúnlé.
Entrance to venues featuring development bands, like Shivava, Sophiatown and Nikki's Oasis, is free. Performers include Julia Lamberti and Signature, the Vusi Mahlasela Music School, TUT Music School and Black Mok.
Organisers point out that there will be a secure park and ride system from the Oriental Plaza, in Fordsburg. People can park their cars there and be ferried to the venues.
The festival is sponsored by Standard Bank and T-Musicman and is supported by the City of Johannesburg's department of arts, culture and heritage services; the Gauteng provincial government; Gauteng Tourism; and Audi motor manufacturers.
"The 2007 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz brings an array of quality jazz to satisfy all tastes across the jazz genre which should appeal to jazz lovers around the country," note the organisers.
It has been designed to discover and explore both the heritage and riches of local talent, says Mandie van der Spuy, the head of jazz and arts at the bank. "[We will] host an enviable clutch of international stars and meet the young jazz stars of the future."
Tladi, echoing Van der Spuy's remarks, says that his company has searched for quality artists who will appeal to a broad base of music fans. Some of the best South African musicians of all time will be performing.
The annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival runs from Thursday, 23 to Saturday, 25 August. Tickets range from R280 to R380 and are available at Computicket outlets, on 083 915 8000 or through the
Computicket website.
For more information on the line-up and venues, go to the
Standard Bank Jazz website or the
T-Musicman website.
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