Jazz diva Thandi Klaasen has been forced to withdraw from her planned performance at the Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg later in August because of ill health, the events organiser said on Wednesday.
The singer had a fall recently. She is still in severe pain and will not be able to manage rehearsals, said Peter Tladi. ”She was so disappointed because she was looking forward to it,” he said.
Klaasen is famed for her jazz singing in a career that has included performances with Miriam Makeba, Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka, as well as her impromptu ”scatting” in African languages and South African slang.
The event is scheduled to take place from August 23 to 25 at various venues in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, Johannesburg.
The line-up includes the Count Basie Orchestra, Makeba, Masuka, Gloria Bosman (who replaces Klaasen), Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, Stimela and Sipho Mabuse.
Young South African performers on the bill include Siphokazi, Nokukhanya, Nombulelo Maqetuka and Shannon Mowday.
International acts include the Clarke/Duke Project featuring Stanley Clarke and George Duke, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, fusion jazz band Pieces of a Dream, Israel’s Common Band and France’s No Jazz. — Sapa