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On Tuesday morning a few of the major acts who will be performing at this week’s Soweto International Jazz Festival gathered for a meet and greet with media at the Sandton City Holiday Inn.
The line-up boasts local names like Amanda Black, Nasty C and Lady Zamar.
Being that this is an international jazz gathering, veterans of the genre like Julian Vaughn and Gordon Chambers have also made the trip to showcase their expertise on what is fast becoming one of the best platforms our country offers, musically.
City Press spoke with a few artists who form part of the festival. The highly celebrated local artist Ernie Smith spoke about the essence of jazz not revolving around just one way of doing things.
He explained: “There are a lot of sub genres that flow out of jazz like hip-hop, R&B, Rock ’n Roll. The original rock and roll drew from this different culture. We’re also saying that we as Africans, as Afropolitans, are finding out what jazz means to us, we don’t want to be only traditionalists.”
American producer Rico Love, who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé and Cardi B, hugged the corner of the room with his posse. The stylishly dressed maestro of the production boards, hosted a seminar at a Boston City Campus on Wednesday and said it was well received.
This seems like a go-to move for local jazz festivals where, in addition to providing entertainment, an opportunity for the growth of skills is adopted.
Rico said: “Today we’re doing another one, I forget the location but I’m just excited about spreading the gospel and the love of music, and developing emerging artists and giving them the opportunity to grow.”
He also said that more platforms like this were needed to stimulate collaboration. This festival has taken a firm stance around encouraging a healthy trade of art. R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn, who has visited our shores a few times before, seemed excited to be back and performing.
The smooth vocalist from New Jersey touched on the spirit of collaboration being fostered by the festival. He explained: “I’m discovering new artists every day, like your AKAs and the classic, contemporary dope R&B like Zonke.”
Although her name escaped him momentarily, he also excitedly added songstress Shekhinah to his list of hot acts he would like to work with.
The Soweto International Jazz Festival will kick off tomorrow with Amanda Black, Nasty C and DeVaughn all on the bill for opening night.
#DontLiveLifeNje Join us as we celebrate Jazz with an amazing international lineup! pic.twitter.com/ieGarOqeGU
— Soweto International Jazz Festival (@JazzSoweto) May 30, 2019
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