This winter jazz and art lovers will gather in the culture bowl of Grahamstown for the 2018 Standard Bank Jazz Festival during the yearly National Arts Festival. Here are 5 of the shows you can't miss when it all goes down.
The abundance of great shows on offer will make choosing what to see a difficult feat. This makes having the insigit to buy the hotest ticket a crucial edge. But, don’t sweat it, we’ve put together this list of some shows you cannot miss at the 2018 SBJF to help you along. These are performances unlikely to be repeated elsewhere after their run at the festival. So, be sure to catch them at 2018 SBJF during NAF18 or lose out.
- Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz I – Thandi Ntuli
Thandi Ntuli is this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz. Since the release of her debut album, The Offering she has been recognised as one of the pioneering voices of modern South African jazz and the release of her latest album, Exiled which has once again solidified her standing as an artist of significant cultural and musical importance. Over and above her regular bandmates, the young pianist will share the stage with trumpeter, Marcus Wyatt and the inimitable percussionist, Tlale Makhene. They are at DSG Hall, Friday 29 June 17:00
- Tribute to Mankunku’s Yakhal'inkomo
In a rare intertextual creative encounter that traverses music and literature, Percy Mabandu convenes a team of fine musicians who've been touched by the music of Winston Mankunku Ngozi. This is to mark and celebrate 50 years since the recording and release of Mankunku’s seminal record, Yakhal'inkomo. The result is a unique creative project that is as deeply commemorative as it is imaginative. Notably, Mabandu will be accompanied by two of the most exciting contemporary young reed-men, Sisonke Xonti and Linda Sikhakhane along with pianist Andile Yenana who worked with Mankunku. They are at DSG Auditorium, Saturday 30 June 14:00
For one night only, in an extraordinary collection of musical and artistic talent on one stage. This is a two-hour long performance featuring a collaboration of the legendary “King of the Zulu Guitar”, Madala Kunene; a South African performance art ensemble, The Brother Moves On and the new face of Afro-Folk, Bongeziwe Mabandla. This will be one for the ages. It will certainly be spoken of for years to come. The Afropoets are at the Guy Butler Theatre, Monument, Friday 6 July 22:00
- “Don’t try this at home” - A Tribute to Michael Brecker
It’s already over 10 years since the passing of Michael Brecker and a fitting time to celebrate the memory of this iconic musician. Brecker was one of the most influential musicians of his generation. Despite his early death at 57, Brecker left a huge musical legacy across jazz, rock and fusion in small jazz combos through to guest soloist and over 900 studio recordings. Norwegian saxophonist Petter Wettre will lead a rare and imaginative take on this legacy with youthful energy for new audiences. The gig is at DSG Hall Saturday 30 June 17:00
This winter jazz and art lovers will gather in the culture bowl of Grahamstown for the 2018 Standard Bank Jazz Festival during the yearly National Arts Festival. Here are 5 of the shows you can't miss when it all goes down.
Hailed by DownBeat magazine for his “quick-witted harmonic reflexes, fluid command of line and cut-to-the-chase sense of narrative logic,” Aaron Goldberg has made his name as one of jazz’s most compelling pianists, both as a bandleader and frequent collaborator with Joshua Redman, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Guillermo Klein and many more. The New York based artist is making a rare appearance on a South African stage. It may well be years before you get to see him play with the kind of intimate closeness only possible in Grahamstown, during the Standard Bank Jazz Festival. Goldberg will be accompanied by Matt Penman on bass and fellow New Yorker, drummer Leon Parker, at the DSG Hall on Friday 29 June 20:30
For more information about gig at the 2018 Standard Bank Jazz Festival visit: www.standardbank.com/NAF
Stay in touch with key debates about what’s happening at the 2018 SBJF with the HashTag: #NAF18
