Jazzfest Berlin Joburg edition goes improv on 5 and 6 November

The festival will be held under the banner Jazzfest Berlin 2021: Scenes of Now and is designed to take audiences on a hybrid journey tracing the paths of improvised music. It aims to document, support and validate trends in jazz, and mirror the diversity of creative musical activity. The Johannesburg leg forms part of a three-city event that will also present the experimental music scenes of Cairo and Sao Paulo starting on 4 November.

The Johannesburg programme, which is curated by Jess White from Akum Agency, will open with a panel discussion on indigenous knowledge systems moderated by Vuyiswa Xekatwane and featuring Motsumi Makhene, Nandipha Mnyani and Lungiswa Plaatjies. The discussion will be followed by a performance by traditional instrumentalist Madosini in collaboration with Plaatjies and Cara Stacey.

Next on stage will be Side Bar (formerly known as the Ancestors) featuring Tumi Mogorosi, Siyabonga Mthembu, Gontse Makhene, Ariel Zamonsky and Mthunzi Mvubu. They will be followed by Herbie Tsoaeli who will present his African Time project, which is set for release in 2022. Tsoaeli’s will be joined onstage by Ayanda Sikade, Yonela Mnana, Sibusiso Mkhize, Sydney Mnisi, Bongani Nikelo, Busi Sibeko and Sakhile Moleshe.

On 6 November, Shane Cooper will present the Dinaledi Chamber Ensemble, a project that was created as part of his Happenstance residency programme at The Centre for the Less Good Idea in Johannesburg. The ensemble comprises accomplished musicians Bokani Dyer, Linda Sikhakhane, Cara Stacey and Resa Khota, as we all contemporary dancer Lulu Mlangeni. On the same day, Sibusile Xaba will present the global premiere of his new project IzangoMa ahead of its release via Brownswood Recordings next year. The festival will close off with a performance by Siya Makuzeni and her IppYFuzE crossover rock project.

“This programme is just a snapshot of the music scene in Johannesburg, a scene filled with amazing composers and musicians who creating music that speaks to the heart of being South African, addressing cultural and political issues through music, which is resonating with an international audience,” the organisers said.

Tickets for the in-person experience are sold out and the festival can be viewed online for free here. View the full programme here.