Wynton Marsalis to headline at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz

Marsalis is enthusiastic about this band: "Mostly I look for musicians with intelligence and the ability to make decisions while improvising. But I also look for a depth of historical knowledge because our music has a tremendous complexity and it's referring all the time to many different styles and types."

On piano is Jonathan Batiste, who comes from a celebrated family of musicians in New Orleans. Batiste has performed in over 40 countries and has collaborated with artists such as Prince and Jimmy Buffet. He's a Juilliard graduate, Movado Future Legend award recipient, and the youngest ever Steinway Performing Artist. He is a music curator at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and has conducted clinics and master classes worldwide.

A major impact on the music scene

Walter Blanding plays tenor sax and clarinet. He lived in Israel for four years where he had a major impact on the music scene, inviting great artists such as Louis Hayes, Eric Reed and others to perform. He has performed or recorded with many artists including Cab Calloway, the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Marcus Roberts, Illinois Jacquet, Eric Reed and Roy Hargrove. His latest release, The Olive Tree, features fellow members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Carlos Henriquez took up the bass while enrolled in The Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program. In 1998, Henriquez joined the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, touring the world and being featured on more than 25 records. He has performed with artists including Chucho Valdes, Paco De Lucia, Tito Puente, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz and Marc Anthony. He has been a member of the music faculty at Northwestern University School of Music since 2008 and was music director for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's cultural exchange with the Cuban Institute of Music with Chucho Valdes in 2010.

Ali Jackson, Jr. (drums) has performed and recorded with artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, who will also be appearing at Joy of Jazz, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Harry Connick, Jr., KRS-1, Marcus Roberts, Joshua Redman, Vinx, Seito Kinen Orchestra conductor Seiji Ozawa, Diana Krall, and the New York City Ballet. He has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 2005. He currently performs with the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Horns in the Hood, and leads his own Ali Jackson Quartet.

Also billing

On the same opening night bill as Wynton Marsalis and his band is the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra featuring The African Soul Sisters Nokukhanya Dlamini, Nombulelo Maqetuka and Wanda Baloyi. Tickets cost from R500 to R900.

For more information on the line-up and venues go to www.joyofjazz.co.za, and www.standardbankarts.com.

Tickets are on sale at Computicket with a 15% discount for all Standard Bank customers (terms and conditions apply).