Download to read offline
Jazz Article
- 1. NEWS & LIFESTYLE PUBLISHEDBY THE CREATIVE GROUP 9 6th Street, Parkhurst, 2193 011 476 6293, creativegroup.info EDITORIAL TEAM Editor: Claire Barnardo claire.barnardo@thecreativegroup.info Creative Director: Mark Peddle ADVERTISING SALES Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info 084 246 8105 (WC) Susan Erwee susan.erwee@thecreativegroup.info 083 556 9848 (WC) Ian Pepler ian.pepler@thecreativegroup.info 082 465 2734 (GP) Bradley Sparks bradley.sparks@ thecreativegroup.info 073 666 3842 (KZN) Digital Editor: Lauren Joubert Chief Copy Editor: Yaron Blecher Art Director: Lucia Viglietti Designer: Megan Cooper The Creative Group CEO: shaun.minnie@thecreativegroup.info 2 propertyjunction.co.za | 31 May 2015 LIFESTYLE W hat started off as a single night of performance has grown tremendously over its 16 years of fundraising for underprivileged communities. We chatted to Ann Barr, board member of the South African Jazz Educators, about what makes the Cape Town Big Band Festival so incredible. TheBigBandJazz Festivalisknownto supportworthycauses, whatdoesithavein storeforusthisyear? So far this year we have been assisting Hanover Park’s Mount View High School in purchasing a set of marimba. The marimba set consists of the bass, tenor, alto and soprano, and between them they span four octaves. They cost R25 000 a set. The festival will then assist with securing a marimba teacher from Woodworx Marimbas to teach at the school once a week. We’re also making a donation towards air ticket expenses for Sibusiso Matsimela, an extremely talented bass player who is studying at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. Sibusiso has been invited to participate in a cultural exchange and will be travelling to Italy to participate in the Arcevia Jazz Feast in Marche. Sibusiso will be attending lectures and practical lessons as well as participating in various concerts during the week- long event. Recently the festival also covered the expenses of steel band groups from rural areas who participated in the Cape Town Steelband Festival, and we’ll continue with music education in steel band and marimba. Whatcanconcertgoers lookforwardto? Four evenings of amazing big band swing, from good old-fashioned standards to newly composed South African music, and big band jazz performed by enthusiastic young people who are passionate about music, be they at school or at university level. Ifyoucoulddescribethe festivalinthreewords, whatwouldtheybe? Phenomenal, talented musicians. Y s a t i I i Arethereanyup-and- comingperforming schoolstolookout forin2015? Each year the bands that participate exceed my expectations. The first festival showcased five big bands and over the years the number of big bands wishing to participate has increased. This year we will be showcasing 23 big bands. What’sthebestadvice youcouldgivetoan aspiringjazzartist? To any music student, be they jazz or classic musicians – practise, practise, practise, play with passion and enjoy. Whatwasthehighlight ofyouryearswith thefestival? In the past we have produced many rising stars who originally started performing with either school big bands or studying at the South African College of Music and they have gone on to make their mark on the national and international music scenes. Musicians such as Judith Sephuma, Tutu, Dan Shout, Darren English, to name a few. The festival has also attracted interest from international musicians who have participated in it and undertaken workshops for the young musicians – Professor John Thomas (US), Steve Waterman (UK), Professor Ian Darrington (UK) and AJ Brown (UK). In prior years we have also showcased big bands from Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Johannesburg and the UK. EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF The Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival runs from 3–6 June. Tickets available through Computicket, computicket.com This year the four-night-long Big Band Jazz Festival gives up the stage up to a numerous inspirational performers. And it’s all for a good cause TheCapeof goodjazz WORDS: MEAGHAN ESSEL || IMAGES: SUPPLIED The festival would like to extend its sincere thanks to the continued support of its sponsors: SAMRO Foundation, Pres Les, Varsity College, RSN and Paul Bothner Music. Onahigh note TheCapeTown BigBandJazz Festival: •wasfoundedin 1999bythe lateDennisBarr, associatedwith andsupportedby theSouthAfrican CollegeofMusic •attracts musiciansfrom SA,theUKand theUS •hosts620 youngpeople frompreviously disadvantaged communities.