Arts Writer
FESTINOS once again have plenty to chose from at the upcoming Cape Town International Jazz Festival(CTIJF) on April 1 and 2 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Ever since the multiple stage phenomena debuted here under The Cape Town North Sea Jazz Festival umbrella, punters have been spoilt for choice.
Some of the last confirmations to the bill were hip hop artist Mick Jenkins (USA), who will add up-beat tempo to the proceedings, combining his acid jazz sound with lacerating lyricism; and home crew collective Beat Bangaz (SA) – DJ ReadyD, DJ E20 and DJ Azuhl, who plan to hold the crowd spellbound with their mixes and polished sound that has seen them tour locally and internationally over the past two decades.
Influencing the CTIJF line-up with a spiced infusion of Turkish-inspired jazz will be Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions (Turkey), where musicianship meets eclecticism, giving true meaning to the ‘east-west crossover’ cliché.
Violinist, composer and arranger Hicham Telmoudi from Morocco will weave magic with strings and bow, breathing new life into the mystique of traditional Moroccan sounds from the north to the south of the country.
Another late entry to the lineup is Capetonian Lana Crowster, a espYoungLegends winner. She can be seen on the Bassline Stage.
“Whether you are a jazz purist or someone looking for the greatest getaway and a weekend of fun and music, this year’s CTIJF line-up has something for everyone,” comments Festival Director Billy Domingo.
“We wanted to expand the festival’s African repertoire and I believe we have done this with the addition of the four aforementioned acts, while at the same time, we need to heed the calls from patrons for stylised rhythmic music that conveys the messages of today’s life commentators and poets, represented by Beat Bangaz and Mick Jenkins. The addition of Lana to the mix is an added bonus for our discerning festinos, who deserve nothing less than it all.”
Of course there are some mega highlights that will draw the crowds. American singer Cassandra Wilson will no doubt pack Rosies with her tribute to Billie Holiday – guaranteed to be a sublime experience not to be missed.
Many critics acknowledge Wilson as the pre-eminent jazz singer of our time.
Also enhancing the star quality of this glittering line-up is multi-award winning, drummer, percussionist, vocalist, songwriter, performer, producer and composer, instrumentalist, Sheila E.
She is a celebrated artist in her own right, but has also appeared with the likes of Prince, for whom she is a regular contributor, as well as Ringo Starr and Beyoncé. Sheila E.’s music fuses pop, R&B, funk, rock, Latin and jazz, creating a unique signature sound heard solo and as support.
Adding even more weight to the 2016 line-up are the likes of JAV (Reunion Island/Mozambique/SA); multi-award winning local and international pop reggae aficionados Dr Victor & the Rasta Rebels (SA); Cape jazz master, Ramon Alexander (SA); hip hop and soul fusion mistress Laëtitia Dana (France); versatile guitar virtuoso Cameron Ward (SA); award-winning pianist, composer and producer Bokani Dyer (SA); jazz guitarist Themba Mokoena (SA); ‘indietronica’ electronic artist Felix Laband featuring Derek Gripper (SA); Gugulethu hip hop crew Driemanskap (SA); kora specialist and acoustic guitarist Derek Gripper (SA); the multi award-winning and much loved Elsies River School Band (SA); the scintillating voices of the multiple award-winning singers and composers, Dorothy Masuka, Abigail Kubeka featuring Lemmy ‘Special’ Mabaso who form Legendary Ladies in Song (SA).
Pianist Tete Mbambisa’s Big Sound (SA) will bring the party to town and expect psychedelic dreamy hip-hop from the Christian Tiger School duo (SA).
Replacing Afrika Mkhize will be pianist Nduduzo Makhathini’s Listening to the Ground Project featuring Eddie Parker; and adding to the mix is the supremely talented Sekunjalo Edujazz Big Band (SA).
Upping the stakes will be three-time Grammy-nominated soul songstress Angie Stone (USA); Grammy-nominated jack swing trio SWV (USA); three-time solo bassist award-winner Victor Wooten (USA); singer-songwriter, rapper and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello (USA); Grammy-nominated Afro-blues duo Amadou & Mariam (Mali); instrumental jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD (Canada); tenor saxophonist Mark Turner (USA) and jazz and R&B vocalist Lizz Wright (USA).
Classical santoor artist Rahul Sharma (India) will perform with jazz saxophonist George Brooks (USA) and jazz pianist roberto SOLO fonseca (Cuba), and supergroup Jazz Attack will feature Peter White, Rick Braun and Euge Groove (USA).
Three-time SAMA winners Mafikizolo will be fronted by Tsepo Tshola; top-selling local phenomenon Nathi can be heard with special guest Vusi Nova; then there’s a songbird Tribute ‘Birdie’ Mboweni; and pop sensation Muzart will perform with Khuli Chana. Bassist Benjamin Jephta will front his quintet.
Other acts include the Mbokodo Award Women in Jazz winner Thandi Ntuli; plus TopDog; and Tumi Mogorosi and Project ELO.
To see you through this bumper weekend there will be food villages and clothing, CD’s and arts and crafts on sale.
Also diarise the popular annual free concert on Greenmarket Square in the CBD on Wednesday, March 30 at 5pm.
For information applying to the Arts Journalism, Mentoring Arts Journalism and Photo Journalism courses: www.capetownjazzfest. com or e-mail [email protected]
l R590 day pass, R895 weekend pass (sold out), R30 per performance for Rosies stage. Computicket, Shoprite Checkers outlets. For the Festival hotline: 021 671 8716 (office hours only).