By DESMOND PITOYI
My weekend was made as I attended the 24th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz music concerts at the Sandton Convention Centre, north of Joburg. May I hasten to say, I was sold!
I have been doing this annual pilgrimage since time immemorial – until the ubiquitous Covid-19 became the proverbial party pooper.
Due to the hard lockdown restrictions, the annual jazz event had to go on a retreat.
Thanks to the organisers’ wise moves, it made a worthy comeback last year after a two-year hiatus. And this year’s Jozi’s
jam session, which took place on 29 and 30 September, was a blast!
As concert-goers, we were spoiled for choice as we darted from one concert stage to the next.
The Dinaledi, Conga and Mbira stages were teeming with jazz music enthusiasts who came from near and far for the annual
entertainment and to quench their musical thirst.
This year’s line-up was impressive, to say the least. It catered for every taste. It was amazing to see music giants do their thing
under one roof.
Performing on the various stages, were the likes of Zonke, Buhlebendalo, Max-Hoba, Ami Faku, Langa Mavuso, Samthing
Soweto and Simphiwe Dana, among others.
Grammy Award-winning Swiss harpist, Andreas Vollenweider, was the star attraction and crowd-pleaser of note. Literally, fans ate out of the palm of his hand and called for many encores at the
end of each set.
He was joined by local musos, Ayanda Nhlangothi, Vusi Nhlapo and Vuyo Tshuma. Spiritual moments were also revisited as the
Nduduzo Makhathini Trio took to the stage. Omagugu Makhathini, whose performance was a masterpiece in the making,
mesmerised and serenaded the audience with her vocal agility and musical prowess.
Nduduzo’s performance was truly unforgettable. His was a spiritual set and his piano-playing and chants took revellers to
another realm. He left everyone awestruck!
Bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli did his usual magic as he paid tribute to the late legendary bassist, vocalist and pianist,
Johnny Dyani. The tribute featured contemporary bassists Viwe Mkizwana and Dalusi Ndlazi, playing side-by-side. It was a sight to see three double basses playing in unison. The deep bellowing sounds of the double basses filled the entire hall as the players strummed the strings with such great finesse.
Dyani’s son brought the house to tears as he spoke fondly abouthis late dad and also thanked Mzansi for still remembering his
dad’s contribution to jazz in the early years.
Bass guitarist, Carlo Mombelli, played music hauntingly like nothing you have ever heard.
Like Nduduzo, Carlo is something of a sage figure. Trumpeter Marcus Wyatt, Langa Mavuso, saxophonist McCoy Mrubata,
guitar maestro Ernie Smith, as well as Grammy Award-winner Robert Glasper, were among other contemporary jazz giants who
set the three stages alight.
The concert also paid tribute to departed jazz legends with special tribute performances: Guitarist Billy Monama’s tribute to Allen Kwela, featuring Titi Luzipo and Mimi Mtshali. Meanwhile, the
Hugh Masekela Band honoured the late legendary jazz trumpeter in true Bra Hugh style.
As the curtain drew, and with ululating, rhythmic hand-clapping and cheers echoing through the Sandton Convention Centre,
without any shadow of doubt, next year's Standard Bank Joy of
Jazz looks set to be like no other
Site Title 