This performance follows three consecutive sold-out performances in January 2019 where Khoza and the Afrikan Heritage Ensemble stage the first Isandlwana Lecture of its kind in the country.  Patrons can look forward to a mesmeric two-part performance made up of Khoza with a 4-piece band, and Khoza with the 16-voice strong Acapella outfit that will have them enthralled and begging for more.

56 years ago, Africa decided to exhibit their determination to free itself from foreign exploitation and domination. Today the continent so rich of culture and heritage, having gone through its fair share of bondage that led to this historic occasion still sees many countries participating in the various festivities to mark this day.

The magic is woven into a line-up that includes multi-award winning Mozambican composer and saxophonist, Moreira Chonguiça who is without a doubt one of the finest creators of the innovative and original African jazz form. It’s youthful and energetic, borrowing from the Latin world as it is rooted in a modern African palette. Cuban born pianist, Roberto Fonseca draws on classical influences, rock influence, and hip-hop. Cuba is one of the important jazz centres of the world.  Incredible drummer, Manu Katché brings his unrelenting rhythmic charm to the SBJOJ stage. The French drummer embodies the spirit of jazz unleashed, having worked with everyone from Sting, Branford Marsalis, Peter Gabriel, Jan Garbarek, and Youssou N'Dour to name a few. A rare treat on the bill is Ken Peplowski, who's been described as the greatest living clarinetist in jazz.

  

The festival will open with the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra led by trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis who is, to many, the public face of jazz music. His ability to draw on history to point to a dignified future has been central to the global jazz tradition since he emerged on the scene. His band will share honours with the ZAR Orchestra led by Mzansi’s own eclectic horns-man, Marcus Wyatt. The South African trumpeter was specifically chosen by Marsalis for the gig to celebrate jazz as a shared value in the struggle to perfect freedom and democracy in South Africa and the United States. The two rise to showcase the jazz traditions from these two countries.

Another trumpeter not be missed is Nigerian-born, Etuk Ubong  he fast becoming a notable voice in jazz. Ubong’s music draws inspiration from jazz great trumpeters that stretch from Hugh Masekela to Miles Davis. The larger expanses of African jazz will rev up the festival through the music of Kyekyeku & Ghanalogue Highlife, a six-piece group who play a brand of music formed by Fela Kuti, Highlife. The historic band Stimela, the iconic Sipho Mabuse, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, singer & songwriter, Siphokazi, and The Soil will underscore the diversity that makes up South African jazz. Mzansi’s own rising star, vocalist and pianist, Nomfundo Xaluva explores local traditions for global tastes along with Nokukhanya Dlamini.

“We are excited about what the 2019 line-up holds for us,  as we mark one of the longest jazz sponsorship partnerships in the country (21 years this year)”, says Thulani Sibeko, Standard Bank Chief Marketing Officer. “Of particular joy for us is the large number of Standard Bank Young Artist Jazz alumni performing this year– including the opening night once off all-star band of previous winners.  It is proof of the critical role we can and do play in moving artists’ careers forward.”

“We are perennially inspired by jazz as a symbol of freedom. It’s a freedom to be creative and explore beyond the tradition itself. This is at the heart of our idea of Jazz Unleashed. To go to the edges of our great music and rediscover it anew,” states Mantwa Chinoamadi, Festival Producer at T-Musicman (in the gorgeous yellow African-print blouse below).

“Every year we strive to bring new audiences and grow the festival. This is not possible without demonstrating jazz’s ability to grow; It was important to mark 25 years of our South African democracy with a collaboration with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre. It takes our footprint global. This is important for the role that the festival must play in cultural diplomacy” says Peter Tladi, CEO of T-Musicman (below).

Let us “Live the Music” and unleash the Jazz. For more info visit www.joyofjazz.co.za or follow SBJOJ on Social Media via the following handles:

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