Can you feel the excitement that has filled the air in anticipation of the Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz this weekend at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa?
The yearly jazz jamboree brings together nearly 30 000 jazz lovers to enjoy the fesitivities and activities. The Joy of Jazz features around 40 musicians from around the globe who are deemed as jazz geniuses. If you add sound and lighting engineerg we have what is arguably one of the largest jazz festivals on the African continent.
Opening night is tomorrow, Thursday 24 September, and the festival runs until Saturday 26 September. This year's festival will host African music heavyweights such as:
- Hugh Masekela,
- Oliver Mtukudzi featuring the Shai Shai Mbira ensemble,
- Jimmy Dludlu and Stimela
- Vusi Mahlasela
- Simphiwe Dana amongst others
The 2015 Young Artist for Jazz, Nduduzo Makhatini, will be performing as well as releasing his new album later this year.
We are privileged to have been able to forge a close relationship with such an exciting and progressive genre of music - jazz. It's inspiring to watch the incredible progress of musicians as they move from small stages through to massive concert venues and win the accolades of their peers. We hope the fingerprint we are leaving on jazz will continue to drive the genre.
For more details on Joy of Jazz please visit www.standardbank.co.za/joyofjazz