| The Cape Town International Jazz Festival |
 |
| Music |
| Written by Zola Ndimande |
| Wednesday, 01 April 2009 11:01 |
CAPE TOWN Spectators were blown away yet again at this years Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Cape Town on Friday 03 and Saturday 04 April 2009 held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa. 
Hailed as the Grandest event in Africa, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into a hugely successful international event since its inception. According to Melodytrip, it has been ranked as the no.4 event in the world, surpassing even the prestigious events as the Switzerland Montreaux Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland. But this year was special. Not only was the Jazz Festival celebrating its 10th year anniversary as a highly acclaimed international extravaganza, but it was also the 70th birthday celebration of Hugh Masekela , the Legendary and most celebrated trumpeter in South Africa. With more than 40 international and African artists, 5 stages and two days of performances lined up, it was truly going to be an anniversary to remember. Cape Town City was in for a real treat.  Photo by: Leon Sadiki The Festival 2009 kicked off with the traditional free community concert at Green market square to get the City of Cape Town geared up for the festivities to come, and the artists appearing at this year’s social and community gathering didn’t disappoint either. The feature of the night was Dianne Reeves, the award winning female jazz vocalist from the United States, who gave a dazzling performance and started the tenth year’s anniversary festival in pure style. South African based artists also included Afro soul Singer Nomfusi; a township based jazz band The Incredibles; Cape Towns own vocalist and songwriter Claire Phillips; Dutch hip hop band Pete Philly & Perquisite and finally the Stylists whose Philadelphian Soul sounds left the audience yearning for more. Guests were also taken in by John Butler’s performance and his dedication to the late legendary musician Miriam ‘Mama Africa' Makeba by singing his rendition of ‘Phata Phata’, one of the late songstresses’ signature songs. Ringo Madlingozi also captivated his audience with his smooth tunes and re-established himself as a true favourite with the South African crowd. For those who wanted to watch more accessible music other than strict Jazz, there was the all round African favourites which included Freshlyground, Zap Mama and Rus Nerwich’s collective imagination. Popular acts also included the US Hip Hop Artist Mos Def, cool and collected 340ml, Napalma, Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, McCoy Mrubata, smooth jazz guitarist Peter White and many more.  Photo by: Leon Sadiki Vocalists Abigail Kubeka, a true veteran opera singer and also one of the highlights of the Jazz Festival, gave a very moving performance dedicated to Miriam Makeba. But no doubt, being the last day of the festival, the show was stolen by Hugh Masekela who gave a grand performance for his 70th Birthday celebrations. At 70 he does not show any signs of slowing down and judging from the crowds overwhelming response to this much loved trumpeter, he clearly isn’t going anywhere. One of his best known songs ‘Tanayi’, which was warmly sung by the audience at the end of the night, could be heard long after the crowds had left. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has really earned its status as being the most prestigious event on the African continent and has become an important event in the world's jazz calendar drawing a large crowd from all over the world including of course South African jazz lovers. The secret to its success is in the mixture of the multi cultural and global pallet of musicians all coming together for one purpose. Great Music! Make sure you don’t miss it the next time it comes around. You won’t be disappointed. Bookmark us: 
|
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 June 2009 08:38 |