Words: Lucy Sarah O’Connell | Images: Supplied
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival has become well known as the highlight of the jazz calendar each year, and the team manage to keep impressing guests with their mixture of both iconic names and inspirational newcomers.
With so many talented young musicians starting to take centre stage on the South African jazz scene, the festival is making moves to champion these incredible youngsters, in particular, this year. Nine Standard Bank Young Artists for Jazz will be sharing the stage with international icons of the jazz world, and they’re expected to fly the South African flag with pride, showing just how bright South Africa’s jazz future looks.
Leading them will be current honouree Thandi Ntuli – the pianist, vocalist, songwriter, composer and bandleader that has been making her name in the modern jazz world as a definite force to be reckoned with since her debut release in 2014. Sharing the stage with Thandi will be the Grammy-winning jazz singer and pianist Diane Schuur from the USA, creating a beautiful meeting of established talent and new passion.
In a beautiful full circle journey, 2000’s Standard Bank Young Artist for jazz, Gloria Bosman, will also be taking the stage this year. Her career has been applauded and acknowledged throughout the world, and she’s shared the stage with many music greats including Sibongile Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa, Tananas, Sipho Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, Sipho Gumede, Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela.
Across its five stages and three days, the 21st instalment of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will have countless opportunities for guests to experience a diverse line-up of all-star talent.
Apart from the multiple South African young masters and old giants taking to the stage, expect to be treated to some of the greatest international names in the world of jazz, including the USA’s Bilal, Brian Culbertson, and Joey de Francesco, and Nigeria’s Femi Koya. Alongside collective groups like The Nairobi Horns Project from Kenya, it’s a three-day celebration, running from 27 to 29 September at
the Sandton Convention Centre, that promises to be music to your ears.
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
joyofjazz.co.za
