Jazz festival set to mark 25 years of joy

The 2024 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which takes place on September 27 and 28 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, is set to celebrate its 25-year milestone this year with a bold line-up of performances that are fit for Africa’s premier jazz festival.
This year, the festival will host more than 50 world-class jazz musicians from more than 10 countries and the artists will perform across five stages in two days. The festival will showcase jazz music accents from Africa, Europe, East Asia, and the Americas and weave a truly global vision of jazz as a world-unifying musical idiom.

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Bonga Sebesho, group head of sponsorships at Standard Bank, described the festival as having a ‘harmonious heartbeat of our corporate narrative for several years’, saying its 25th-year celebration promises to be a memorable occasion.
This festival not only celebrates the rich tapestry of jazz but has also catalysed cultural exchanges that promote camaraderie through the universal language of music, Sebesho told attendees of the recent launch.

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He said curators crafted a quarter-century instalment with not-to-be-missed musical performances and lifestyle experiences for the 2024 edition. The musical offering will showcase performances by rising stars alongside established jazz giants who previously headlined the festival.
Among those established musicians will be the Grammy Award-winning Chris Botti, who will perform alongside trumpet giants such as UK-based producer and horns man, Matthew Halsall; Mzansi’s own immaculate Feya Faku; current jazz category Standard Bank Young Artist awardee and trumpeter Darren English, and featuring virtuoso pianist Kenny Banks Jr of the USA.
Sibongile Mngoma, a song stylist whose career straddles jazz and classical music, along with the amazing bassist and composer Victor Masondo, are poised to bring magic to the stage.
On the Conga Stage, there will be a rare ‘Japan meets South Africa’ collaboration with pianist Keiko Matsui who will perform with a guest appearance by Nokukhanya Dlamini, with pianist Sibusiso Mashiloane presenting his latest project, Izibongo.
Composer and vocalist Mandisi Dyantyisi returns with his blend of roots and jazz songs. Many other artists, too many to mention, will also showcase their jazz acts on various stages, and legendary maskandi musician Ihashi Elimhlophe will set the stage on fire.
Producer of the festival Mantwa Chinoamadi said, “We are heartened and energised by the milestone of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz turning 25 years.
“It underscores the festival not only as a premier jazz event in Africa but as a destination event that also drives economic and cultural development in the city and the region. This is an important contribution we wish to grow and deepen into the future.”

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