Arts writer
AMANDA Tiffin, Camillo Lombard and Ian Smith direct this Friday’s Artscape Youth Jazz Festival 2015. A celebration of young achievers, mentors and educators in the jazz industry, the concert will feature soloists from music institutions and schools from 7.30pm.
Artscape’s youth month started last week and runs until July 11. During this time hundreds of young artists from various multicultural arts disciplines will have the opportunity to perform their works on Artscape stages together with many well-known artists. The highlight of the month is Friday’s Youth Jazz Festival, as it celebrates its 13th year with nine soloist who successfully auditioned to be included in a mentorship programme.
The soloists are Keno Carelse (17) on drums and Kirsten Skippers (16) piano. Both are at South Peninsula High. Jed Petersen (17) on saxophone is at Wynberg Boys High. From UCT are Marco Maritz (19) on trumpet and flugelhorn, Sean Sanby (19) electric bass and double bass, along with vocalists Aimee George (18), Emma de Goede (22), Liso Gcwabe (20) and Adelia Douw (21) from The Delft Big Band.
Mentors this year are pianist, producer and composer Camillo Lombard, trumpeter Ian Smith (Delft Big Band) and vocalist Amanda Tiffin (Head of Jazz singing at UCT). Also mentoring is drummer Frank Paco and bassist Charlton Daniels. All five artists form a jazz ensemble to accompany the young musicians.
Marlene le Roux, acting CEO of Artscape and director of Artscape Audience Development and Education explains, “Each year the festival mentorship programme is structured around skills development and education as we recognize the vital role the arts play in laying a foundation for an open society, based on the democratic values of our constitution. It is a unique opportunity where the musicians have been able to take this programme forward into their careers and educate others in the process.”
“Artscape continues to raise the standard each year through the dedication and passion of highly respected and acclaimed professional musicians and educators who not only mentor these young artists but ensure the continuity of the jazz tradition in the Western Cape. We are honoured to showcase all these musicians.”
l Tickets: R80. Book: 021 421 7695, Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers.