/ 27 July 2023

Cat’s out the bag: The Joy of Jazz artist lineup has been announced

Joy Of Jazz
The festival takes place on 29 and 30 September at the Sandton Convention Centre.

“If it’s jazz from somewhere else, just note it, but if it’s jazz in Gauteng, come,” premier Panyaza Lesufi told the guests at the 2023 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz artist lineup launch, which took place at Hill on Empire, in Johannesburg, on 26 July. 

The festival takes place on 29 and 30 September at the Sandton Convention Centre. This year’s show will feature Simphiwe Dana, Dr Nduduzo Makhathini, Andreas Vollenweider, Zoë Modiga, Zonke, Hugh Masekela Tribute Band, Langa Mavuso, Carlo Mombelli, Zonke, Inkabi Zezwe and Robert Glasper, to name a few. 

In her address, festival producer Mantwa Chinoamadi said that last year they had taken a decision to only host artists from Africa, to boost the recovery of the jazz economy as we had just come out of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“The best way we could have done it was to have our own. In 2023, the curtains are open, our doors and our shores are open, we welcome the world to South Africa, to Gauteng,” she said. 

Chinoamadi told the Mail & Guardian that she was hoping that the spirit among the people at the lineup announcement would be carried to the festival. 

“We have been through a lot as a country and, with the mood in this room, there is a promise that we will carry this whole joyous mood to the festival, and most importantly, we are happy to be back in the game.”

She said that her all-female-led team would pull out all the stops to ensure the festival was a success.  

“When we were curating the programme there were priorities that guided us. We want to deliver an exciting and memorable experience and to honour our rich jazz legacy by putting together concerts that will pay tribute to some of our departed artists who left us before and during Covid,” she said. 

Yolisa Koza, head of brand experience and sponsorships at Standard Bank, said that the bank had supported Joy of Jazz for 23 years. 

“It has been such a wonderful opportunity for us to develop a close relationship with such a progressive genre of music — and that is jazz,” Koza said. 

Modiga, who has played at the festival before, said she hoped to create magic with the audience and give them an experience. 

“I commit to enjoying the music and bringing in the audience. 

“I like to have a humble moment before going on stage, to pull myself towards myself. I ask my God, and those who walk with me, to come with me. 

“I just ask for the music to do what music does, which is transforming and being impactful,” she said. 

Tickets are available at Computicket and Checkers outlets.