Vibraphone, penny whistle and trombone players are some of the specialised soloists at the festival. Here is an alphabetical list of the participants
DON ALBERT
Cape Town-born Don Albert is a mainstream baritone saxophonist who enjoys playing jazz standards. He is also an international jazz journalist who has written articles for various newspapers and magazines. He spent 12 years with The Star newspaper on the Tonight section and writes reviews for Financial Mail.
GERALD ALBRIGHT
Native Californian Gerald Albright will be performing for the first time in South Africa. Having earned the reputation as the “musician’s musician”, it’s no surprise that Gerald’s self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming and background vocals. He has teamed up on popular jazz tours with Will Downing, Hugh Masekela and Jonathan Butler, to name a few.
ROY AYERS
Vibes maestro Roy Ayers has won numerous awards for his contribution to music, having led the jazz/funk era in the Sixties, played internationally and even formed his own record label, Uno Melodic. This United States-born musician has recorded a staggering 55 albums to date and has produced such popular titles as Vibrations, Change Up The Groove and Fever.
FRA FRA SOUND
The group of young musicians who comprise the band Fra Fra originated from Surinam (formerly Dutch Guyana) and the Dutch Caribbean, and have firmly established themselves on the popular jazz circuit with their innovative approach and improvisational music.
SIPHO GUMEDE
Sipho Gumede, originating from Durban, has continuously created new and challenging music through a series of inspired collaborations. His most recent albums include Blues for My Mother (1997) and New Era (2000).
ROBBIE JANSEN
Having recently celebrated 30 years in the music business, Robbie Jansen is one of the Cape’s most accomplished musicians. An alto saxophone and flute virtuoso, he is also a respected composer and arranger and at the forefront of what, over the past few years, has become internationally known as Cape jazz.
MOSES KHUMALO
It’s sheer playing pleasure for Khumalo on the sax, having secured a recording deal with Sheer Sounds despite his tender 22 years. He has already toured South Africa, played with the late Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and later joined his band, and performed at Grahamstown.
JACK LEROLE
Having earned the name “Big Voice Jack”, Lerole’s distinctive groaning style when singing will come as no surprise. But it’s on the penny whistle that Jack’s international fame is based, having been asked to play with the Dave Matthews Band in Boston and New York, toured many major European countries and recently released his album, Colours and Moods, which encapsulates his energy, vibrancy and skill, making him truly “the old man of the penny whistle”.
SIPHO MABUSE
Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse was born in Johannesburg and took to music by playing drums at the age of eight. During Sipho’s musical career, spanning the past 28 years, he has performed in virtually every country in the southern hemisphere and has toured and performed in the US, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. Sipho has recorded and produced for, among others, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri and Sibongile Khumalo. Sipho’s latest album, due to be released in August, showcases a variety of musical styles like reggae, jazz, kwela and gospel.
KGAUGELO MAILULA
Mailula has studied music as much as she has played it, having taken numerous courses as well as lecturing in music for three years. This passion for music started at age nine with the piano, although her love now is undoubtedly for the trumpet. She played in numerous bands until forming Kgaugelo and Friends. They recorded their first album, La Mogale in 1999, heralding her place in the male-dominated brass world of the new South African jazz music industry.
MUSA MANZINI
The South African Afro-jazz scene is exploding, and one of the most innovative and freshest talents working in the genre right now is Musa Manzini. A young and hugely original bass player, Musa uses this otherwise traditional backing instrument in the most innovative way, showcasing it as a lead instrument.
HUGH MASEKELA
South Africa’s most respected musician, Hugh Masekela remains a legend on his trumpet. Hugh has recently established MAAPSA, a rehabilitation centre for musicians who have become alcohol and substance abusers.
KEIKI MATSUI
Recognised as one of the finest contemporary jazz keyboard players and composers, Keiko Matsui has sold millions of records worldwide. Originating from Japan, Keiko is known for her unique ability to blend Eastern mysticism with playful melodies.
THEMBA MKHIZE
Themba Mkhize is a pianist and innovative composer who has toured and worked with Sibongile Khumalo, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, among others.
MOSS MOGALE
The Moss Mogale Unit’s repertoire is mainly a mixture of African music and jazz. Moss’s experience in the heyday of marabi and kwela music, and his exposure to indigenous multicultural traditional music, add more texture to the sounds, while the younger members of the unit inject a contemporary feel into the musical proceedings.
POPS MOHAMED
Ismail Mohamed-Jan, better known as Pops Mohamed, is South Africa’s unofficial “Minister of Music”. Pops’ deep-rooted African sound is c ombined with contemporary instruments and electronics, making him the living embodiment of cross-cultural cooperative music. His latest album focuses on the cutting edge underground drum-‘n’-bass outfit, demonstrating his remarkably versatile and innovative vision.
McCOY MRUBATA
McCoy is one of South Africa’s finest saxophonists, versatile on the tenor, soprano and alto saxophones, as well as the flute. When he isn’t recording, producing, writing music for TV documentaries or programmes, he heads his own very popular band, McCoy and Friends.
NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ BAND
The NYJB is a product of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival that takes place during the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown each year. Started in 1992 as an offshoot of the festival, it gives young jazz musicians under the age of 27 a platform to develop their talent. The NYJB, with renowned musician Marc Duby as conductor, showcases the talents of the top eight musicians who participated in the 2001 festival in Grahamstown.
EZRA NGCUKANA
Horn player Ezra Ngcukana has played with numerous well-known bands, including Abdulla Ibrahim’s Big Band and Louis Moholo’s Spirits Rejoice. Ezra also holds bachelors’ degrees in science and commerce, both from the University of South Africa.
ZIM NGQAWANA
Zim Ngqawana is one of the new generation of South African musicians who is taking a fresh look at South Africa’s jazz and traditional music heritage. Zim made his mark at the historic inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in 1994, where he directed the 100-person “Drums for Peace”. He won a SAMA 2001 award for Best Traditional Jazz Album.
NDUMISO NYOVANE
Born and bred in Soweto, Ndumiso’s rich, moving voice and his easygoing character belie his intensity, talent and creativity as one of the nation’s most promising artists.
RAY PHIRI
Ray Phiri has performed on stages such as Central Park and Madison Square in the US, and alongside Paul Simon. His latest album How, features Wendy Mseleku and Themba Mkhize, and has been 10 years in the making. Ray was appointed chair-person to the Mpumalanga Arts Council earlier this year.
DOLLY RATHEBE
She is the “Queen of the Blues”, not to mention actress and former magazine cover girl! There is no end to Africa’s first female jazz vocalist’s talents, and having rejoined the popular Elite Swingsters as vocalist, her legendary prowess is still going strong.
SANKOMOTA
Frank Leepa’s latest album, Frankly Speaking, sees Sankomota offering fans wonderful instrumentation and virtuosity. Vibey, infectious, danceable and socially conscious, with a strong dose of self-pride, the album proves that despite being around for 20 years, Leepa’s music will never go out of fashion.
DIANE SCHUUR
Twice Grammy award-winner Diane Schuur has inspired raves from around the world as “the new first lady of jazz”. Diane, who is from the US, has played at the White House and her recordings have topped the charts.
ERNIE SMITH
Durban-born Ernie Smith has featured with such artists as Hugh Masekela, Themba Mkhize and Family Factory. Ernie has developed a style of instrument playing and singing that’s an assimilation of jazz, African and R&B.
THE VOICE
The Voice is a soulful and dynamic group that is made up of talented musicians from throughout South Africa. Andile Yenana on piano was born in King William’s Town and has toured extensively. Trumpeter Marcus Wyatt originated from Port Elizabeth and has performed and recorded with Jimmy Dludlu, Paul Hamner and Abdullah Ibrahim, among others. Cape Town-born bass player Herbie Tsoaeli has played with many of South Africa’s jazz kings. Drummer Lulu Gontsana, from Port Elizabeth, and trumpeter Sydney Mnisi, from Edenvale, have performed with a host of South African artists.
ANNIE WHITEHEAD
Annie Whitehead has emerged as one of the brightest and most versatile musicians in Britain, working with her own groups and a diversity of British jazz luminaries. Annie grew up in the heart of the brass-band county of Lancashire, and has been playing the trombone since her early days at school. She was inspired by the music of Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Wayne Henderson and has since developed her own style. In the past few years, Annie has toured and recorded with the Paul Dunmall Octet and Elton Dean’s Newsense, among others. She has done session work with Gabrielle, The Spice Girls and Dr John. Her most recent album, The Gathering, has delighted fans.