WeeklySA_AdminREVELRY: Joy of Jazz concert brings the best of the entertaining fraternity…
By Priscilla Malinga
The three-day explosive line up of International Jazz maestros which also featured local talent, joyfully graced the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2025.
The weekend event, pencilled for Sandton Convention Centre, is regarded as one of the most sought-after gigs in the country.
As expected, the event drew thousands of jazz enthusiasts who made a beeline for the centre.
Actress and R&B singer Keabetswe Motsilanyane who goes by the moniker KB, not only gave a stirring performance to the delight of the huge cheering crowd, in part in honour of “my departed friend”.
After the show, with great humility, she expressed her gratitude for having been invited to perform before the large crowd, saying the gesture made her feel proud and “special”.
It would take a long time to forget how she was received by the cheering crowd, making her feel special about herself, she told the audience.
She described her performance as “a dream come true”, adding that “I used to fantasise about being part of the line-up with my departed friend” whose name she did not disclose.
She then gave a rendition of a song that was sung by her “unnamed departed friend” to honour her life, feeling sad she would never again come into contact with her.
It was Mamosadi who closed the show with the huge crowd chanting for more. To entertain her appreciative fans, she drew largely from her songs from her new album.
The lyrics from Sylent Nqo and “Noisemakers from Zim, which refer to the Zim Noise Makers Sharing Group, were rendered.
The revellers warmed to his captivating performance. The lyrics in his native language were rendered with passion, keeping the crowd on the dance floor for a longer period of time.
Saxophonist Nomfundo Xaluva wowed the crowd with her sterling performance – displaying all along her “strong lungs” and long notes. I must admit she is a real mbokodo – or woman of substance – with all those high notes she hit effortlessly.
Siya Makuzeni Big Band came before the last act of the night. She was followed by Lakecia Benjamin from the US. In the end, there was music for all palates, and no room for mediocre performance.
Kudos to the organisers for a festival so well organised. Even first timers to the place were able to find their way around with much ease.
The itinerary included stars such as Benjamin Jephta, Quinton, Tshepo Mngoma, Siya Charles, Simon and Denizart from Canada, among others.
JOY OF JAZZ’S SPELL-BINDING 26th EDITION WOWS CROWDS
CONSISTENCY: Three days of unforgettable jamming from an intergenerational mix of 60 African and international performers…
By Jacob Mawela
The 26th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz had audiences converging on Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre for a sheer sonic extravaganza delivered by more than 60 performers from 15 countries straddling three continents – during three memorable days on the last weekend of September.
The event lived up to the billing of concert organisers T-Musicman – led by producer Mantwa Chinoamadi – and sponsors Standard Bank’s stated objective of “projecting and cementing Africa’s premiere jazz event that is rooted in South Africa’s undeniably rich and varied musical traditions”.
This is in addition to supporting younger musicians and honouring the enduring contributions of women in jazz. The concert’s objectives were manifested through an eclectic line-up consisting of an intergenerational mix of local, Pan-Africanist and international performers, who had festival goers spoilt for choice.
South African female performers included on September 26 the local 2018 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz recipient, pianist and vocalist Thandi Ntuli, who transported her audience on a narrative of her metaphorical Meroe landscape, while hypothesising it “as children undertaking a journey of awakening”, in which she explored a higher version of herself named “Blk Elijah”.
Fellow Young Artist Award alumni, trombonist-singer Siya Makuzeni returned to the event with a 17-piece big band showcasing some of the country’s emerging young practitioners – such as pianist Bokani Dyer, tenor Muhammad Dawjee, alto-saxophonist Mthunzi Mvubu. Also on September 27, another local artist Gabi Motuba – whose repertoire converses with politics, black and religion studies – presented material from her 2024 album The Sabbath, which paid homage to those who contributed to her becoming a musician. The trio constituted a roster of local female artists who included singers Nomfundo Xaluva, Xolisa Dlamini, Elaine.
Notable Pan-African female performers comprised “honeyed-clouds” voiced eSwatini alternative afro-pop singer-songwriter Velemseni; Lesotho folk music singer Leomile; Mali’s Oumo Sangaré, who proffered a fusion of contemporary beats with traditional West African instruments. Sangaré’s performance on the Conga Stage occurred concurrently with that of American bassist-singer Esperanza Spalding who put a spell on a crowd – which included ex-president Kgalema Motlanthe – with her “Eaabibacliitoti”.
Her renditions encompassed improvisations, singing, poetry, storytelling while she moved from piano to bass playing on the Dinaledi Stage. Spalding was part of a line-up of American participants who included veteran singer-bassist Meshell Ndegeocello. The duo’s presence was augmented by compatriots, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, vocalist Jazzmeia Horn – as well as vocalist Jean Baylor who performed alongside her drummer husband Marcus, as The Baylor Project.
The US sojourners were further amplified by the 15-member Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra accompanied by bandleader Wynton Marsalis, which presented the world premiere of the virtuoso’s new work “Afro”, on the stroke of midnight.
Resplendent in identical suits, the mostly male outfit which included alto and soprano saxophones player Sherman Irby and trombonist Christopher Crenshaw, was accompanied by guest artists, Ghana-born djembefola Weedie Braimah – who exuded trance-esque energy – and intrepid vocalist, Shenel Johns. Representing local young male talents were the ilk of Tshivenda folk singer-guitarist Muneyi, a UJ Arts Academy alumni whose music – by which he weaves stories of heritage, identity through indigenous folk sounds – has been described as “a gift from the gods.”
The 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music recipient – who mentioned he drew inspiration from L’wei Netshivhale (a fellow Tshivenda guitarist mastering in the Malende and Tshikona reed dance folk music – who also played at the event) – performed on the Mbira Stage on Sunday afternoon.
Another was Soweto-raise Mandla Mlangeni, whose Amandla Freedom Ensemble (the music collective of young musicians dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the South African music legacy) presented The Oratorio of a Forgotten Youth – a multi-disciplinary genre-bending intergenerational collaboration. Also in the mix was Benjamin Jephta, one of the country’s premier double and electric bass players, whose quintet delivered the Homecoming 10th Anniversary – an album he had debuted at the event ten years ago.
Jephta accompanied South African band leader Peter Auret as part of a trio. Throughout, the event presented solo and collaborative performances – from French-Canadian pianist Simon Denizart to Ababhemu Quartet, featuring South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, Swedish saxophonist Karl Martin Almqvist and Norwegian bassist Magne Thormodsaeter.
Pan-African participants included Senegal’s bass virtuoso Alune Wade, Ghanaian reedman Steve Bedi, the DRC’s Tresor.
