August 25, 2010 – Some of the world’s leading jazz artists will be in Jozi from August 26-28 to perform at this year’s The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Newtown.
The line-up features artists from Africa, America, Japan, Israel as well as South Africa.
The main attraction might well be the celebrated contemporary jazz trumpeter and multi Grammy nominated, Chris Botti, who will grace the Joy of Jazz stages for two nights.
Other Americans: Ravi Coltrane, Kim Waters, Stacey Kent, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and jazz quartet Fourplay comprising Bob James, Nathan East, Harvey Mason and Chuck Loeb will be joined by Japan’s saxophonist and flutist Sadao Watanabe plus Israel’s award-winning clarinettist, Anat Cohen on the Joy of Jazz stage. Cohen is one of the primary tenor voices of her generation and an accomplished saxophonist and clarinet player.
South African Tourism Regional Director for Africa and Domestic, Phumi Dhlomo, says: “In the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we are delighted to welcome jazz lovers to South Africa for this banquet of music. Ours is the ideal destination for an event such as the Joy of Jazz. Our credentials as a world-class event host are beyond dispute.”
“The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2010, which showcases the world’s best jazz talents, is just an extension of what we offer in terms of events,” he adds. “And this year’s jazz festival promises to be an event to remember.”
While the festival traditionally showcases home-grown South African talent, recent years have seen the repertoire grow to include jazz artistes from the rest of the world – producing styles and sounds reflected in original musical collaborations.
Kenyan musicians Eric Wainaina and Valerie Kimani have also featured in previous festivals.
Performers from Africa this year include Mali’s Oumou Sangare alongside a strong South African line-up; Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Wanda Baloyi, Kyle Shepherd, Putuma, Nhlanhla Nciza and Melanie Scholtz (Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, 2010).
Fresh South African talent will be represented by Brian Temba and Auriol Hays.
The 2010 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will take place at six venues in the Johannesburg’s Newtown precinct. The Dinaledi Stage and the Mbira Stage will be erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, creating two purpose-built venues to showcase this year’s line-up. Other venues include The Market Theatre and The Bassline, Sophiatown and Nikki’s Oasis.
The first Standard Bank Joy of Jazz took place in 2000 and attracted an audience of around 2,000 people. It has grown phenomenally over the years and today attracts more than 22,000 jazz lovers. Great names that have performed at the festival over the years include Earl Klugh, Dave Koz, Jamie Callum, Hugh Masekela and others.