Music News South Africa

Top Artists at Joy of Jazz Festival

Some of the world's top artists will be performing at The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival, which runs from 26 to 28 August, 2010, in Newtown, Johannesburg. The line-up features artists from America, Japan and Israel as well as South Africa and the African diaspora.
Ravi Coltrane
Ravi Coltrane

America's Ravi Coltrane, Kim Waters, Stacey Kent, violinist Michael Ward, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and jazz quartet Fourplay, comprising Bob James, Nathan East, Harvey Mason and Chuck Loeb, will be joined by Japan's Sadao Watanabe and Israel's award-winning clarinettist Anat Cohen.

Performers from the African continent include Mali's Oumou Sangare and a strong South African line-up of Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, Wanda Baloyi, Kyle Shepherd, Putuma, Nhlanhla Nciza, Wouter Kellerman,Tsepo Tshola and Melanie Scholtz, the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz for 2010.

Opening night

Already announced for the festival are soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, London-based guitarist and vocalist Brian Temba and the Cape Town jazz singer Auriol Hays, who share the bill on the opening night of the festival on the Dinaledi stage. Headlining day two, on the Dinaledi stage, are trumpeter Chris Botti and jazz singer Lalah Hathaway.

Festival producer, Mantwa Odutayo of T-Musicman, said: "We have gone to great lengths to secure the finest artists and we believe we have a heavyweight line-up befitting 2010's stature."

The 2010 Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz will take place at six venues in the city's Newtown precinct. The Dinaledi Stage and the Mbira Stage will be erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, creating two purpose-built venues to showcase this year's line-up. Other venues include The Market Theatre and The Bassline, Sophiatown and Nikki's Oasis.

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

Tickets are on sale at Computicket with a 15 percent discount for all Standard Bank customers.

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