The jazz-travaganza – which takes place in the Newtown precinct from August 26 to 28 — will provide a global mélange of sound.
International jazz journalist Don Albert is clearly excited by the line-up: ‘Plenty of thought has been put into the mix of artists this year. We haven’t had a clarinet player at the festival in years and now there’s the brilliant Anat Cohen.”
The Jazz Journalists Association named Cohen Clarinetist of the Year by in both 2007 and 2008 – the first time in the history of the awards that an artist has earned top clarinet honours two years running. She also topped the Rising Star-Clarinet category in DownBeat Magazine’s critics’ poll in both 2007 and 2008 and placed prominently in a total of four categories including Rising Star Jazz Artist – where she ranked second and was the only female artist to make the list.
Don is also delighted that Poncho Sanchez, one of the world’s leading percussionists, is on the bill: ‘He is exciting. This is going to be great genuine Afro Cuban jazz complete with a little funk. Then there’s Ravi Coltrane. Although he carries an historic name he has chiselled out his own style.
For fusion fans trumpeter Chris Botti – who made his name playing with Sting – is one of the biggest names in contemporary jazz and he has an incredible line-up coming with him. Guitarist Mark Whitfield, drummer Billy Kilson, pianist Billy Childs and bassist Tim Lefebvre are all brilliant musicians in their own right.”
Don’s final recommendations? ‘Fourplay will have a completely new sound with Chuck Loeb on guitar and don’t miss Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse – he is going to do something very different to what he’s ever done before.”
Music journalist Peter Feldman is impressed with the array of talent assembled for the event because it represents a strong cross-section of the kinds of sounds we are hearing today.
‘There’s a fantastic line-up from South Africa and the Diaspora. Mali’s Oumou Sangare is one of the world’s greatest singers while audiences are going to be captivated by artists of the calibre of Auriol Hays, Wanda Baloyi and Melanie Scholtz, who also happens to be the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz for 2010. What is impressive is the fact that the organisers have blended the younger performers with some of music’s stalwarts. I’m looking forwards to three days of inspiring sounds.”
Other performers in the mix at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz include saxophonist Kim Waters, vocalist Stacey Kent, violinist Michael Ward, soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, celebrated jazz singer Lalah Hathaway and Japanese saxophonist Sadao Watanabe. Performers from the African continent include London based guitarist and vocalist Brian Temba, Kyle Shepherd, Putuma, Nhlanhla Nciza and Wouter Kellerman.
Says festival producer, Mantwa Odutayo of T-Musicman: ‘We have gone to great lengths to secure the finest artists and we believe we have a heavyweight line up befitting 2010’s stature.”
Commented Mandie van der Spuy, head of Art & Jazz Sponsorships Standard Bank: ‘Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz 2010 will be a year to remember. Not only will we have successfully hosted one of the world’s greatest sporting events but we will be showcasing some of world’s best musical talent at the 11th Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz.”