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The Standard Bank Jazz Festival remains one of the crown jewels of the Grahamstown programme. With a line-up ranging from legends to rising laaities and inspiring locals, you can forgive jazz lovers for ignoring the rest of the fest and just bingeing on the jazz.
Nduduzo Makhathini
“This music is a tribute to my ancestors and to what the African soil gave us,” says Makhathini (32), this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz winner. In his show, Listening to the Ground, the pianist, producer, singer and composer will be performing music from his soon-to-be-released debut album, which pays homage to the legends who contributed to SA’s jazz heritage.
Thandiswa Mazwai
Multiple-award-winning Mazwai is one of our finest contemporary voices. She has performed all over the world and brings her distinctive sound, infused with tradition, to the fest.
Lionel Loueke
World-class Benin guitarist Lionel Loueke performs with some of SA’s best, including Marcus Wyatt on trumpet and Siya Makuzeni on vocals. Loueke’s previous collaborators have included Angélique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, Sting and Cassandra Wilson.
Kesivan and the Lights
Hugely talented drummer and Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz in 2009, Kesivan Naidoo brings the band and performance that got standing ovations at Carnegie Hall last year to the fest. Read my lips: This is not to be missed.
Dave Reynolds and Pops Mohamed
A unique collaboration between leading indigenous contemporary musician Mohamed and Reynolds, award-winning steel pan player. Beautiful, ancient, experimental.
Bokani Dyer Quintet
The Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz in 2011 performs with four gifted Swiss musicians. The result? Dyer’s contemporary SA sound meets Swiss precision quite exquisitely.
Oliver Mtukudzi
World-acclaimed Mtukudzi is the kind of artist to be experienced at every available chance. His sound straddles “world music” and “jazz”, as well as traditional African styles, in a special way. One of the highlights of this year’s festival.
Thandi Ntuli
Pianist Ntuli is a rising young talent on the local scene. Her debut album, The Offering, and its accompanying tour were well received. She’s definitely going places.
Ray Phiri
Phiri is a legend on the SA jazz scene. His contribution has been recognised here and abroad, and he was awarded a National Order of Ikhamanga (silver) in 2011. Phiri performs one show at the festival. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Don Laka
This pianist, performer, composer and producer’s 40-year career has seen him build a Kwaai-Jazz sound as a solo artist and a member of Sakhile and Sankomota
