The jazz world once again descends on ‘Jazztown’ for the 31st Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown. The dates for this year’s run are 28 June to 7 July 2018.
Key jazz milestones
“This year’s programme will celebrate key jazz milestones, give a nod to great musical traditions from across the African continent and showcase some of the best among what Europe and the US has to offer today,” says Alan Webster, Director of the 2018 Standard Bank Jazz Festival.
Classics from the great pool of hip-hop and soul music genius are given a jazz treatment by the Rebirth of Cool, led by pianist Thandi Ntuli – the current Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz – and DJ Kenzhero. The lofty legacy of the historic band, The Blue Notes is revisited by the star-studded Blue Notes Tribute Orchestra led by trumpeter Marcus Wyatt.
Also on the bill are the ‘King of the Zulu Guitar’ Madala Kunene, The Brother Moves On, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Zenzi Makeba Lee, and Lisette Spinnler and Julie Fahrer – two incredible female vocalists from Switzerland.
Remembering Winston Mankunku
Award-winning writer Percy Mabandu leads an interdisciplinary performance to mark the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Yakhal’ Inkomo, the historic record released in 1968 by late saxophonist Winston Mankunku Ngozi. The project will bring together literature with the masterful musicianship of Andile Yenana, Shane Cooper, Ayanda Sikade and Linda Sikhakhane and Sisonke Xonti.
American saxophonist Michael Brecker will have his music reimagined by a band led by Norwegian saxophonist Petter Wettre in a project titled Don’t try this at home – A Tribute to Michael Brecker. Pianist Aaron Goldberg (US), has for two decades toured the world with Joshua Redman and brings his trio to Africa for the first time.
In what is perhaps one of the longest running partnerships in our history, saxman McCoy Mrubata and pianist Paul Hanmer give a performance that reflects 30 years of collaboration.
Northern Europe has been a leading region in jazz innovation for years. South African jazz has shared in that glory thanks to investments made by organizations like Pro Helvetia, which celebrates a 20-year presence in SA. In recognition of this lengthy role in support of the collaboration between the artists of SA and Switzerland, 12 Swiss musicians perform over the course of the festival, offering their original music and collaborating with South African musicians.
The festival is going to be a rare feast for jazz piano enthusiasts too. Pianist and composer, SBYA Thandi Ntuli will showcase music from her new album, Exile on Friday 29 June at DSG Hall. The inimitable Andile Yenana’s sextet Umnqgonqgo Wabantu will ascend the DSG Hall stage on Sunday 1 July. The band includes SA and Swiss players like bassist Christoph King-Utzinger and drummer Michi Stulz on the rhythm section and horn line includes Wyatt and Sikhakhane.
On Friday 29 June at the DSG Hall Aaron Goldberg will lead his trio with Matt Penman (NZ), bass and Leon Parker (US) on drums and percussions. Afrika Mkhize will be on stage with Zenzi Makeba Lee and Amanda Tiffin as they break new ground with a collaboration on Saturday 30 June. SBYA alumnus, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini will play music from his latest album Ikhambi on Wednesday 4 July.
In keeping with the festival’s focus on youth development and education, this year will mark 30 years of jazz education from Mike Campbell. The renowned bassist and professor was the founding head of the UCT Jazz School, which has produced a lion’s share of young professional jazz musicians. He will present the UCT Big Band at the DSG Auditorium of Thursday 28 June.
And then there’s the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival (SBNYJF), which has for the past 26 years been investing in young musicians. The best among these will be on stage with the Standard Bank National Schools Big Band conducted by Dr Gordon Vernick, Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Georgia State University. The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band is made up of musicians between 19 and 25 years from across the country – conducted by Amanda Tiffin, who is Head of Jazz Singing and Acting Head of Jazz Studies at UCT.
“There’s a reason SBJF has a global reputation as a barometer of not only the current quality of jazz musicianship in South Africa, but a launching ground for future industry leaders too. The focus on development of young musicians and the way the festival celebrates our jazz heritage exemplifies our values captured by our campaign call for this year – Art_is! We are convinced art and jazz music in particular, are central to building a healthy society,” says Jenny Pheiffer, Head of Brand and Sponsorship Standard Bank.
What: Standard Bank Jazz Festival Grahamstown 2018
Dates: 28 June – 7 July 2018
NAF 2018: www.NationalArtsFestival.co.za/events
Standard Bank Arts: www.facebook.com/standardbankarts, Twitter: @standardbankart #Jazztown #NAF2018 #Art_is
Website: www.standardbank.com/naf
WS
