Helen Herimbi
The 42nd annual National Arts Festival is almost upon us.
Siya Makuzeni
The 42nd annual National Arts Festival is almost upon us. Each year, throngs of art lovers descend on little Grahamstown for 11 days of uninterrupted theatre, dance, comedy, music and more.
The Standard Bank Young Artist for Music is Avigail Bushakevitz. The violinist will perform at the Gala Concert alongside the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra which will be conducted by Richard Cock.
Indigenous African music will also be highlighted by the Eastern Cape Ensemble. The Arena programme will feature Standard Bank Ovation award recipients Ottoman Slap, Asanda Mqiki, Umle as well as Josie Field and Laurie Levine. And artists from other parts of the world will be presenting their work as well.
While the music portion of the festival is quite diverse, jazz is still the clear emphasis. This year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz is Siya Makuzeni. As part of the National Arts Festival, the Standard Bank Jazz Festival is a huge drawcard for enthusiasts of the genre and for people who just need a break from the fest’s drama and comedy.
This year, jazz musicians from 12 countries will be present. Brazil’s own Trio Corrente has won two Grammys and has enjoyed a fruitful career.
Tenor sax duo, Dave O’Higgins (UK) and Per Thornberg (Sweden), will also be on stage, as will Norwegian saxophonist Petter Wettre, the Swedish David Kontra Trio, Austrian singer and trumpeter Michaela Rabitsch and her partner, the guitarist Robert Pawlick, as well as the Dutch saxophonist Toon Roos.
While the international artists are a big part of the festival, local artists are also a huge drawcard. The legendary Caiphus Semenya will perform in the festival, as will the Afrika Mkhize Big Band, Ringo Madlingozi and Simphiwe Dana.
Carlo Mombelli will collaborate with three Swiss artists. As part of Young Guns, the likes of Sisonke Xonti, Justin Bellairs, Thandi Ntuli, Romy Brauteseth and Claude Cozens will be playing one another’s music. And while it’s definitely not strictly jazz, The Kiffness will also be on stage.
These are just a few of the acts that will make up the illustrious jazz festival, providing a healthy mix of serious jazz and contemporary soul and afro-soul. So don’t miss out as there’s something for just about everyone.
The National Arts Festival takes place in Grahamstown from June 30 to July 10. Visit nationalartsfestival.co.za