SA: Joy of Jazz announces 2019 line-up

Previously announced acts include nine-time Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis and his 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Marcus Wyatt & The ZAR Jazz Orchestra. The two bands will perform on opening night on the Dinaledi Stage under the banner Battle of the Big Bands. 

They will be joined by Moreira Chonguiça (Mozambique), Roberto Fonseca (Cuba), Manu Katché (France), Ken Peplowski (US), Rahsaan Patterson (US), Salim Washington (US), Etuk Ubong (Nigeria), Kyekyeku (Ghana).

Confirmed local acts include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sibongile Khumalo, Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse, Siphokazi & The Soil, Nomfundo Xaluva, Nokukhanya Dlamini, Stimela, Zoe Masuku, Zoe Modiga, Nduduzo Makhathini, Don Laka, Vuyo Tyolo, Nokukhanya Dlamini, Sobantwana, R Benjamin, Aus Tebza and Nelisiwe, among others.

The Standard Bank Young Artist All Star Jazz Band is also scheduled to perform on opening night, as well as on 27 September. The band features Sibongile Khumalo, Victor Masondo, Gloria Bosman, Concord Nkabinde, Shannon Mowday, Mark Fransman, Kesivan Naidoo, Melanie Scholtz. Bokani Dyer, Afrika Mkhize, Shane Cooper, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mandla Mlangeni.

Other highlights include Project Lila, Zachusa Warriors, Ladies Unite in Jazz and Sankofa. Project Lila will play on the Dinaledi Stage on 27 September and features Shannon Mowday, Heige Lien, Erik Nylander and Johannes Eick. The Zachusa Warriors will entertain jazz fanatics on the Diphala Stage on the same night. The trio features Kesivan Naidoo, Reggie Washington and Malcom Braff.

Sankofa, meanwhile, is a collaboration by Salim Washington, Nduduzo Makhathini, Ayanda Sikade, Dalisu Ndlazi, Sakhile Simani and Zoe Masuku. The Ladies Unite Jazz, a collaboration between Nomfundo Xaluva and Zoe Modiga, is another must-see performance at this year's JOJ.

“Every year we strive to bring new audiences and grow the festival,” JOJ organiser and T-Musicman CEO Peter Tladi said at the line-up announcement. "This is not possible without demonstrating jazz’s ability to grow. It was important to mark 25 years of our South African democracy with a collaboration with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra. It takes our footprint global. This is important for the role that the festival must play in cultural diplomacy.”

Speaking at the same event, Department of Arts and Culture director-general Vusumusi Mkhize said: “The Department of Arts and Culture prides itself for having come on board for this important vehicle that showcases excellence in jazz to South African, continental and international music supporters, thus raising the profile of South Africa as a destination for cultural tourism and consumption."

Standard Bank chief marketing officer Thulani Sibeko said he was proud to see young jazz musicians involved in the festival.

“We are excited about what the 2019 line-up holds for us as we mark one of the longest jazz sponsorship partnerships in the country – 21 years," he said. “Of particular joy for us is the large number of Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz alumni performing this year, including the opening night once-off, all-star band of previous winners. It is proof of the critical role we can and do play in moving artists’ careers forward.”