Jazz has temperatures rising

The weather may have been chilly, but the music was hot. Fans slipped out of their jerseys and jackets and danced to some all-time favourites.
THE legendary Hugh Masekela pulled off a sizzling and highly entertaining performance that left the audience of thousands yelling for more at this year’s Joy of Jazz in Newtown.

Hugh Masekela performs the train song, StimelaHugh Masekela performs the train song, StimelaMasekela was on the Dinaledi Stage on Saturday, 27 August, one of seven venues where the jazz festival took place. It was the biggest venue, and was dedicated to mainstream, Afro and smooth jazz.

On some of his songs, Masekela collaborated with Wanda Baloyi and Putuma. The latter, a young woman from Eastern Cape, gave a sterling performance when the trio sang a tribute to the late Miriam Makeba. The audience danced and sang along to their much-loved songs Thanayi, Stimela, and Khawuleza.

McCoy Tyner, a pianist from Philadelphia in the US; Wynton Marsalis, the multi award-winning American musician, and local singer Sibongile Khumalo also performed on the Dinaledi Stage.

In the audience were Goodman Rafani and Lunga Magxaki from Eastern Cape, who were in town to support the Afro-teens from Port Elizabeth. The Afro-teens is a group of teenage musicians who performed at one of the smaller venues during Joy of Jazz, Niki’s Oasis.

Rafani said they had been coming to Joburg for Joy of Jazz for the past four years. “We come here every year for the love of jazz,” added Magxaki. They were huge fans of Marsalis, who gave a great show on Saturday night.

Across on the Mbira Stage, Ringo Madlingozi also did not disappoint, dishing out his most popular songs and keeping the audience on their feet. Mbira hosted RnB and soul musicians such as Frank McComb, Alexander O’Neal, Jeff Lober and Simphiwe Dana.

Music fans enjoy a good outingMusic fans enjoy a good outingOn the Conga World Music Stage, hot music had fans taking off their jerseys despite the chilly night air. On Friday, Mango Groove had the audience eating out of their hands, getting people up and dancing to hits like Special Star and Hellfire.

Simon Masilo, an ardent Mango Groove fan, pulled off some cha-cha moves. He was enjoying the show, he said, although he was disappointed that his favourite artist, Jimmy Dludlu, was not in the line-up.

“This is my first time at the Joy of Jazz but I am planning to make it an annual habit, because it is just out of this world,” said Masilo.

On the Mbira and Conga stages, the performers included the likes of Gauteng Jazz Orchestra, Tutu Puoane and Brussels Jazz Orchestra, African Jazz Pioneers, Julius Schultz, Oliver Mtukudzi, Tu Nokwe, Dee Dee Bridgewater and McCoy Mrubata.

The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, an annual event, ran from 25 to 27 August, and was sponsored by the City of Joburg, Standard Bank, the Department of Arts and Culture, and Gauteng Tourism.