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SAJE NEWS
Newsletter of the South African Association for Jazz Education
Number 35, September 2014. EDITOR: Diane Rossi. CONTACT: [email protected]
South African Association
for Jazz Education
www.saje.org.za
Mission Statement: The Mission of the South African Association for Jazz Education is to assure
the growth of jazz in South Africa and the development of jazz and jazz education in urban and rural
areas. SAJE is also dedicated to building the jazz arts community by advancing education, promoting
skills development, performance and research, and developing new audiences.
IASJ Jazz Meeting – Cape Town
Maria Schneider – NYJF, Grahamstown
Prince Bulo – SAMRO Overseas Scholarship winner (Jazz)
CONTENTS:
Message from the President – page 2
SAJE News – page 3
JEN, SAJE Jazz Fest, IMAD, CTBBJF – page 4
News from UCT – page 5
News from NMMU – page 6
Stirling High School News – page 7
website: www.saje.org.za
facebook: SAJE
twitter: @sajejazz
NYJF 2014 – pages 8 to 11
Centre for Jazz at UKZN - pages 12 to 13
Tshwane University of Technology – pg 14
Nigel Vermaas – page 15
CD releases – pages 15 to 16
SAJE Membership info – page 16
MESSAGE FROM THE SAJE PRESIDENT
18 September
Dear SAJE Friends and Family,
After nearly three years of hard work and planning, the 24th IASJ Meeting was held for the first time on the
African Continent at the University of Cape Town. This was truly a global event and my sincerest thanks to all
who made the trip and to Diane who worked incredibly hard over many months to see that the Cape Town IASJ
Meeting ran without a hitch and to Paul Sedres. In the words of Dave Liebman - this meeting ranks in the top
three of all IASJ Meetings thusfar. Please enjoy reading below a short summary of the event.
In January I look forward to representing South Africa by taking part in the JEN Conference which will be held in
San Diego along with my colleague at UCT William Haubrich, and fellow SA jazz educator Chats Devroop from
TUT in Pretoria.
Plans are in place for the next SAJE Jazz Festival that will take place at UCT in March 2015. Already we have had
strong interest from people wanting to participate in the festival along with some returning IASJ delegates who
had a great experience in Cape Town. Please put these dates 29 to 31 March 2015 in your calendar and stay
involved with SAJE and all that it has to offer in growing jazz and jazz education in this part of the world.
My very best to everyone as we head into year-end exams and the summer break to follow.
Sincerely yours in jazz and jazz education,
Mike Rossi
SAJE President
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2012-2014 SAJE Executive Board
President: Mike Rossi (UCT)
Vice President: Mageshen Naidoo (Unisa)
Secretary: Ann Barr (CTBBJF)
Treasurer: Diane Rossi
International Rep: Paul Sedres
Board Members (2012-2014)
Mike Campbell (UCT)
Marc Duby (UNISA)
Neil Gonsalves (UKZN)
Karen Devroop (UNISA)
Nick Carter
Thulile Zama (UKZN)
Suli Moosa
Ronel Nagfaal (Groote Schuur High)
David Bass
Eric Alan (All Jazz Radio)
Alan Webster NYJF (ex-officio)
Darius Brubeck (ex-officio)
Contact SAJE
Diane Rossi
PO Box 175, Observatory 7935
3 Kings Rd, Mowbray 7700
Tel: (021) 685-6846
Cell: 082-515-7051
Email:[email protected]
SAJE NEWS
IASJ (International Association of Schools of Jazz)
The 24th IASJ Jazz Meeting was hosted by the SA College of Music
at UCT in Cape Town from 22 to 27 June 2014 – the first time on the
African continent. The event which was organised by SAJE saw 38
jazz institutions representing 21 countries from 4 continents
participating in the Jazz Meeting. Besides daily workshops and
master classes, ensemble rehearsals, ongoing dialogues,
demonstrations and talks on SA jazz and African music, there were 4
fabulous public concerts and 3 wonderful jam sessions. All the
participants really enjoyed their time at UCT and in Cape Town –
remarking that it was definitely one of the most memorable
meetings ever!
Grateful thanks to the SAMRO Foundation, BASA, UCT ViceChancellor Dr Max Price, SA College of Music at UCT, Cape Town
Tourism, Sekunjalo, Paul Bothner Music, Distell and the US Mission South Africa for financial and other support.
There are some wonderful photographic memories and videos on the IASJ 2014 Jazz Meeting facebook page.
The 25th IASJ Jazz Meeting will be held in Lisbon, hosted by the Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa and the Hot Clube de
Portugal from 28 June to 4 July 2015. Please visit www.iasj.com for more information.
Jazz at the Nassau concert 21 June 2014
Dave Liebman, Mike Rossi, Gary Keller, Willie Haubrich
Combo No 1 consisting of students from SA, France,
Ireland/Israel, USA, Sweden & Switzerland
Konstantinos and Dimos (Corfu) with Dave Liebman
(IASJ Artistic Director)
Piano master class conducted by Fernando Michelin from
Berklee and Herve Sellin from the Paris Conservatoire
Joanna & Ricardo (Portugal), Diane & Mike (SA)
IASJ Teachers Concert 23 June at UCT
SOUTH AFRICA - ITALY: SAJE 2014-2015 student-teacher exchange project
This is the third year of the SAJE International Student-Teacher Exchange Project in conjunction
with the Arcevia Jazz Feast (Italy) and UCT (South Africa) - an initiative of Prof Mike Rossi from
UCT and current SAJE President. This year’s recipients of the cultural exchange bursary are Amy
Campbell (voice/piano) and James McClure (trumpet/flugelhorn) who spent 3 weeks in Italy
during July/August accompanied by Prof Mike Rossi. During September 2014, UCT and SAJE
hosted award winning Italian guitarist Giovanni Baleani
in Cape Town. Grateful thanks to La Dante Cape Town
and Italian Consul Edoardo Vitali for assisting with
logistics.
In March 2015, three Italian jazz students, Leonardo
Rosselli (saxophone), Alessandra Abbondanza (vocals) and Jacopo Ausili (drums)
and three Italian teachers will participate in the cultural exchange project in Cape
Town and in the 4th SAJE Jazz Festival.
Please visit the SAJE website www.saje.org.za and the Arcevia Jazz Feast
www.arceviajazzfeast.it for more information.
Frequent visitor to South Africa, Bob Sinicrope became the 4th President of JEN (Jazz
Education Network) on 1 July 2014. He invites all to attend the upcoming JEN conference in
San Diego 7-10 January, 2015.
Chats Devroop (TUT), Willie Haubrich (UCT) and Mike Rossi (UCT) will present clinics and a
Tshwane University student group will perform at the conference. JEN’s keynote speaker is
Herbie Hancock. Visit www.jazzednet.org for more information.
Milton Academy recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its jazz program founded by
Bob. Several alumni returned to campus to participate in a concert featuring South African
jazz to commemorate this milestone. Horace Alexander Young, who was Abdullah Ibrahim’s
longtime music director, was the featured artist at the event that saw students from five
different decades perform.
Bob will bring his Milton Academy students to South Africa for their 10th tour 12-27 March
2015. They will visit schools and perform in Pretoria, Jo’burg, Pietermaritzburg, Hilton,
Winterton and Cape Town.
Bob Sinicrope: Milton Academy - Director of Jazz
Inaugural Recipient John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year (2007)
President - Jazz Education Network
4th SAJE Jazz Festival
29-31 March 2015
Cape Town
We welcome performance and/or workshop proposals.
Deadline: 1 December 2014
Email: [email protected]
IMAD NEWS
IMAD now running EPWP at Langa High School
The Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (IMAD) has been appointed by the Western Cape Department of
Cultural Arts and Sport (DCAS) to run its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) at Langa High School from August 2014 to
May 2015. The five beneficiaries of the programme are working at Langa High School where they are teaching the children to
play the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano or drums, or to sing in the choir. These children also have an opportunity to play
in a school ensemble, which will be giving concerts to the school and to the local community during the course of this
programme. Fifty children are taking part in this programme. The school has some instruments available for IMAD to run this
programme. Additional instruments required for the programme are being provided by a donation from the recent High School
Jam (HSJ). For further information about this programme at Langa High School, please contact William Masemola of DCAS
([email protected]) or IMAD’s George Werner ([email protected]) or Nick Green ([email protected])
Little Giants Route 62 Tour
Six members of the Little Giants band with their MD, George Werner, and guest trombonist, Jannie van Tonder played gigs and
held workshops at three towns on Route 62 between 29th and 31st August. The tour concentrated on disadvantaged youth in
this area. The first performance was at BF Oostenhuisen High School in Barrydale, at which the Little Giants were supported by a
local youth band from the Net vir Pret programme, which is mentored by ex-Capetonian guitarist, Gareth Crawford. Next was a
workshop and performance at the Bodorp Civic Centre in Robertson for youth from the towns of Robertson and McGregor, and
the final performance was at Ashbury Community Centre in Montagu.
This Little Giants Route 62 tour was sponsored by Concerts SA.
CAPE TOWN BIG BAND JAZZ FESTIVAL NEWS
Cape Town Steelband Festival: Thursday 23 April 2015
Cape Town Marimba Festival: Friday 24 April 2015
Gauteng Big Band Jazz Festival: 15 and 16 May 2015
Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival: 3-6 June 2015
Visit the website for more details: www.ctbigbandjazzfest.co.za
NEWS FROM THE SA COLLEGE OF MUSIC - UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
The UCT Big Band conducted by Mike Campbell, has performed in a
variety of settings again this year – International Jazz Day at The
CRYPT, Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, Kirstenbosch, at the NYJF in
Grahamstown, The BAXTER, Jazz at the Nassau and the Great Wizoo.
• The 8 members of this year’s STANDARD BANK NATIONAL SCHOOLS’
JAZZ BAND are all students at UCT! Congratulations! (see page 10)
• Jazz musicians Amy Campbell (vocals/piano) and James McClure
(trumpet/flugelhorn) spent 3 weeks in Italy in July/August as part of
the SAJE/ARCEVIA cultural exchange project.
• The Mike Rossi Project performed at the Cape Town International
Jazz Festival in March, at Jazz at the Nassau on 21 June, at Straight No Chaser Club on 18 September and will
perform at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival on 27 September and at The CRYPT on 16 October.
This August, four young students from the jazz program at University of
Cape Town where invited to play at Oslo Jazz Festival, in Oslo, Norway as
part of the Nordic Showcase/Masterclass. The visit is part of Concerts
South Africa’s exchange programme; a collaboration project with
RIKSKONSERTENE (Concerts Norway) and The Norwegian Embassy in
Pretoria, South Africa. The Nordic Showcase is Oslo Jazz Festival’s platform
for music students and young emerging bands and artists.
The four UCT musicians are: Sarah Blake (22) - A final year student in the
jazz program at University of Cape Town College of Music. She plays
acoustic and electric bass and also sings. Blake comes from a musical
family in Cape Town.
Pianist Blake Hellaby (24) - Final year student in the jazz program at University of Cape Town College of Music. Hellaby
performs with the UCT big band and teaches music at Wynberg School.
Robin Kock (21) - Plays trumpet and flügelhorn. He is a third year student in the jazz program at University of Cape Town
College of Music. Kock is active in community music projects in the area.
Kurt Bowers (20) - Plays drums and percussion in the UCT big band, and is in his 2nd year in the jazz program at University
of Cape Town College of Music. Bowers is playing regularly in jazz clubs around town.
Oslo Jazz Festival’s homepage: http://oslojazz.no/
•
UCT alumni News: Kesivan Naidoo and Nicky Schrire
Drummer Kesivan Naidoo will be performing at the Standard Bank Joy of
Jazz Festival with Carlo Mombelli and the Mike Rossi Project. He will be
in residence at The Orbit (Johannesburg) from Wednesday 1st
October till Sunday 5th October 2014. He will be performing with 3
different bands and an immensely talented group of musicians including
Kyle Shepherd Reza Khota, Feya Faku, Carlo Mombelli, Shane Cooper ,
Sisonke Xonti and Mbuso Khoza.
CARNEGIE HALL PRESENTS - UBUNTU: MUSIC AND ARTS OF SOUTH AFRICA
A CITYWIDE FESTIVAL EXPLORING SOUTH AFRICAN ARTS & CULTURE
8 October to 5 November, 2014 – New York
Monday, October 13 at 7:00 PM | Irene Diamond Education Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Listening Party: Nicky Schrire. Jazz at Lincoln Center education hosts a listening party that
features South African vocalist Nicky Schrire sharing some of her favorite and most
influential records. Presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center.
October 15 and 16 at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM | Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Kuumba Collective. The Kuumba Collective, a collaborative ensemble of American and
South African artists led by saxophonist TK Blue and vocalist Nicky Schrire, presents the
South African Songbook: SA to USA, featuring classic repertoire of South African jazz as well as original works.
Thursday, October 30 at 8:30 PM | Zankel
Kesivan and the Lights. Kesivan Naidoo is one of the exciting leaders of the next wave of Cape jazz performers. A
composer and drummer, Naidoo leads a fiery quintet that is equally exciting when playing a standard, an original
composition, or covering an Ornette Coleman tune. Kesivan and the Lights make their New York debut in this concert.
NEWS FROM NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Correspondent: John Edwards
JAZZ UNIT LAUNCH
An additional venue in Bird Street, Central Port Elizabeth has
presented the NMMU Music Department an opportunity to launch a
new community-based jazz teaching opportunity. One of the buildings
previously occupied by the NMMU Business School will be used by the
department to accommodate a new Jazz Unit and the existing Pretertiary music teaching department. Given that the original UPE Music
Department was established in Bird Street in 1966 (before the
department moved to the present Summerstrand campus in 1977) this
new initiative has a nostalgic resonance. The Jazz Unit and the Pretertiary Department will operate in tandem offering instrumental
tuition to school-going learners and giving them the opportunity to
choose whether they would like to continue with classical or jazz
studies. This will feed into the tertiary Music Department for formal
qualifications in music. The Jazz Unit will initially rely on seed funding
from NMMU but to secure its sustainability sponsorships will have to
be found. Tuition in woodwind, brass, drum kit, piano, guitar and bass
will be offered at the unit and the programme will largely be taught by
NMMU music department graduates. A performance space is also
envisaged and this will contribute to the ongoing revitalization of the
reclaimed artistic precinct of Port Elizabeth comprising the Opera
House, Feathermarket Centre and the Athenaeum. Also housed on
the Bird Street Campus will be an NMMU Art Gallery and
postgraduate activities from the Arts Department.
The Jazz Unit was launched at a well attended event on 19 August
which was attended by movers and shakers from the Port Elizabeth
arts, business, development and educational community.
Entertainment was provided by jazz practical lecturers from the
department, John Edwards (piano), Kingsley Buitendag (bass) and
Lloyd Martin (drums). True to the spirit of jazz the legendary local
saxophonist Pat Pasha joined the trio for a jam. (See pic). The NMMU
Big Band also performed.
RECENT PERFORMANCES: The NMMU Big Band directed by John
Edwards performed to significant acclaim on the main stage of the
‘Richmond Hill Street Music Festival’ in Port Elizabeth on 21 June. This
event was originally launched in France in 1982 as the ‘Fête de la
Musique’ and has become an annual social tradition in cities
throughout France. The Alliance Française in Port Elizabeth initiated
the South African version of this event in 2010, the intention being to
combine a contemporary French tradition with South African musical
culture - the Richmond Hill Street Music Festival is the result of this.
Richmond Hill is the ideal venue because it is emerging as a vibrant
suburb with a large variety of restaurants and boutiques situated in
the area. The event encourages interaction between Port Elizabeth’s
diverse communities providing them with the opportunity to walk from one venue to another and in so doing discover a
variety of diverse musicians and bands. There are four stages spread over the suburb. The event was sponsored by
international stakeholders (French Embassy, the French Institute, Reunion Island) as well as local national/international
public and corporate sponsors.
VISITING ARTISTS: CONCERTS AND WORKSHOPS: The NMMU Music Department hosted KZN-based jazz vocalist Natalie
Rungan on 20 May in the NMMU South Campus Auditorium. The concert was well supported as was the workshop that
Natalie presented to music students on the same day.
UPCOMING EVENTS: The eagerly anticipated annual ISISUSA event will take place at the Opera House on 23 September
and will feature local Port Elizabeth jazz artists including Titi Luzipo, Pat Pasha, John Edwards, Creshwell October, Kyle du
Preez and Ulagh Williams with the Two Tone band.
Stirling High School News
New Performance Venue: Stirling High School has been a centre of high school jazz excellence under the
leadership of Alan Webster for over 20 years and over this period the Stirling Music Department has outgrown its
limited facilities. This will all change in 2015 when the Stirling music teachers and students move into a new
state-of-the-art Music Centre. There will be 6 spacious individual music classrooms, a large subject music room
with necessary available technologies, practice rooms, tuckshop/bar area, double-volume foyer, and a
magnificent auditorium seating over 300 people, based on designs of jazz theatres from around the world, but
influenced particularly by Amsterdam’s Bimhuis and Amsterdam Conservatory Blue Room. Stirling will be
hosting regular performances from 2015 so don’t forget us on your touring schedules.
New Stirling Auditorium & Music Department due for completion at the end of the year
Jazz Band Tour: The Stirling Jazz Band has been invited to perform at the Joy of Jazz Festival at the Sandton
Convention Centre in September.
Eastern Cape Music: For the first time in ten years, the music departments of Stirling and Grahamstown’s St
Andrews College and Diocesan School for Girls got together for two evenings of music in August as part of
Stirling’s Founders’ Day Celebrations. DSG/SAC were on a whistle-stop tour of East London and performed at
various schools around the city. The two schools performed separately and together, with a joint choir number
and two combined band items. High School music is certainly thriving with the abundance of talent showcased
each night.
Rick van Heerden conducting the Stirling & DSG/SAC bands
Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2014
(Incorporating the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival)
Support funding from:
• Arts Council Norway
• Concerts SA
• East Norway Jazz Centre
• The French Institute of South Africa
• Paul Bothner Music
• ProHelvetia Johannesburg
• Royal Netherlands Embassy
• SAfm
• SAMRO
• Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund
• Swiss Arts Council
350 students, 45 teachers and 80 musicians descended upon the small university town of Grahamstown to
attend the annual SBNYJF which took place concurrent with the National Arts Festival, from Wednesday 2 July
to Tues 8 July at the Music School of the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG). This festival sits at the forefront of
every jazz student’s mind and is undoubtedly the place to be if one is going to take jazz seriously as a career.
The friendships that are formed and the networking opportunities for both students and musicians alike are
of the most positive aspects to come out of the festival. The quality of the jazz is a given.
Every day, each course participant was able to rehearse in a big band or vocal group and chose to attend an
array of workshops and electives on jazz topics such as improvisation, jazz history, music technology,
instrumental clinics, composition or jazz harmony. These were led by a collection of some of the best
professional jazz players and educators in the country as well as visiting foreign teachers and performers.
The following musicians performed at the NYJF this year in a variety of collaborations:
Drums/Perc
Louis Moholo, Kesivan Naidoo, Jonno Sweetman, Ayanda Sikade, Lloyd Martin, Claude Cozens, Marlon
Witbooi, Tlale Makhene, Håkon Mjåset Johansen (Norway), Jeff "Siege" Siegel (US), Alain Laspeyres (France)
Bass
Shaun Johannes, Shane Cooper, Mike Campbell, Romy Brauteseth, Bänz Oester (Swiss), Ronan Guilfoyle
(Ireland), Rich Syracuse (US), Per Mathisen (Norway), Olivier Brousse (France)
Piano
Mark Fransman, Kyle Shepherd, Bokani Dyer, Nduduzo Makhathini, Afrika Mkhize, Olga Konkova (Norway),
George Kontrafouris (Greece), Harmen Fraanje (Holland)
Guitar
Louis Mhlanga (Zimbabwe), Mageshen Naidoo, Gorm Helfjord (SA/Norway), Jens Thoresen (Norway)
Trumpet
Brian Thusi, Marcus Wyatt, Feya Faku, Lee Thomson, Sydney Mavundla, Sakhile Simani, Frank Brodahl
(Norway), Marius Haltli (Norway), Anders Eriksson (Norway), Nick Smart (Britain)
Trombone
John Davies, Justin Sasman, Kyle du Preez, Even Kruse Skatrud (Norway), Helge Sunde (Norway), Erik
Johannessen (Norway)
Sax
Sidney Mnisi, Shannon Mowday, Dan Shout, Marc de Kock, Justin Bellairs, Buddy Wells, Mike Rossi, Ganesh
Geymeier (Swiss), Atle Nymo (Norway), Frode Nymo (Norway), Børge-Are Halvorsen (Norway), Pekka Pylkkänen
(Finland), Gary Keller (US), Karlheinz Miklin (Austria), Didier Labbé (France), Dimos Dimitriadis (Greece)
Vocals
Melanie Scholtz, Jitsvinger, Farrell Adams, Teboho Maidza, Tutu Puoane (SA/Belgium), Katharine Cartwright
(US + fl), Mola Sylla (Senegal)
Other instruments
Melissa van der Spuy – accordion, Jean-Luc Amestoy - accordion (France), Ernst Reijseger - cello (Holland)
Composition
Maria Schneider (US)
Artists that performed after the NYJF were: Adam Glasser, Bongani Sotshononda’s United Nations of Africa, Ivan Mazuze, Jimmy
Dludlu, Lira, Hugh Masakela, Themba Mkhize, Dan Patlansky/Albert Frost, SBYA Fire, Singstruments: A symphony of jazz, Blues Broers,
Nomfi Xaluva & Babalwa Mentjies
Maria Schneider
Maria Schneider & Ensemble Denada
Bänz Oester & The Rainmakers
Ernst Reijseger (Cello – Holland), Louis Moholo (drums)
Tutu Puoane
Feya Faku
Drum workshop with Kesivan Naidoo
Mike Campbell and the NSBB 2014
NATIONAL BANDS
Two national bands were chosen at the Festival: the STANDARD BANK NATIONAL SCHOOLS’ JAZZ BAND (age limit 18 on 1/1/2014, and
attending high school) and the STANDARD BANK NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ BAND (age limit 26 on 1/1/2014). These bands performed on
the main jazz stage of the National Arts Festival and the SBNYJB will perform at the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg in September.
The SBNSBB was conducted by Mike Campbell, and the SBNYJB by Mark Fransman.
The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band 2014
Back:
L-R:
Front:
L-R:
Robin Kock Fassie (trumpet), Kurt Bowers (drums), Blake Hellaby (piano), Murray
Buitendag (trombone), Ryan McArthur (bass), Zoë Modiga (voice)
Amy Campbell (voice), Mark Fransman (conductor), Mikhaela Kruger (voice)
The Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band 2014
Back:
L-R:
Middle: L-R:
Front:
L-R:
Daniel Van Der Walt (trumpet), Ben Cloete (tenor sax), Callum Blows (trumpet), Samuel Burger (drums), Sean
Sanby (bass), Ryan Truter (guitar)
Sam Gild (trumpet), Dylan Amos (bari sax), Luke Neville (trombone), Robert Van Der Merwe (alto sax), Simon
de Wet (piano), Chadley Johnson (trombone)
Jonathan Chuter (tenor sax), Matthew Poulter (trombone), Christian Chandler (trombone), Christopher
Kleyweg (trumpet), Prof. Mike Campbell (conductor), Aimee George (voice), Simeon Davis (alto sax)
Kyle Shepherd: Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2014
Capetonian pianist, saxophonist, composer and band leader Kyle Shepherd is the 2014 Standard Bank Young Artist
Award winner for Jazz. Ten years ago this prodigiously talented young man performed in Grahamstown as a member
of the Standard Bank National Schools Big Band and in July he stood on that same stage on the cusp of a career that
promises to be significant for South African jazz. His music pays homage to his musical and cultural roots, but with an
internationalism that sets him comfortably on international stages – years spent playing with Zim Ngqawana, Robbie
Jansen and Errol Dyers are off-set by collaborations with cutting-edge young musicians from around the world.
Kyle performed his music in two separate shows on the main stage. The Kyle Shepherd Quintet with Buddy Wells
(sax), Feya Faku (trumpet), Shane Cooper (bass), Claude Cozens (drums) and The Kyle Shepherd Trio with Shane
Cooper (bass), Jonno Sweetman (drums).
Besides performing his own music in Grahamstown, Kyle also performed with South African jazz icon Louis MoholoMoholo who performed for the first time in Grahamstown. The band included Louis Moholo-Moholo (drums), Mark
Fransman (sax), Ernst Reijseger (cello - NL), Kyle Shepherd (piano), Shane Cooper (bass). Kyle also performed with
Finnish saxophonist/composer/educator Pekka Pylkkänen. The rest of the band included Nick Smart (trumpet - UK),
Kyle Shepherd (piano), Ronan Guilfoyle (bass - IE), Kesivan Naidoo (drums).
Catch Kyle Shepherd at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival on 27 September at the Sandton Convention Centre.
www.youthjazz.co.za
www.standardbankarts.co.za
NEWS FROM THE CENTRE FOR JAZZ – UNIVERSITY of KWAZULU-NATAL
2014 SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition
UKZN Master of Music student Prince Bulo won the
prestigious 2014 SAMRO Overseas Scholarships
Competition in the Jazz Music category. He received the
lucrative R170 000 award to further his music studies
abroad.
The event took place on 30 August 2014 at the Wits Great
Hall in Braamfontein.
The original compositions of the four scholarships finalists
were performed during a special Concert Evening. The
Orbit Big Band from the Orbit Jazz Club in Braamfontein performed both Jazz Music compositions that were in contention
for top honours: April 14 by Kingsley Buitendag – a composer, pianist, bass player and lecturer based in the Eastern Cape –
and Bass’d in Africa by Prince Bulo. Both candidates had been merit or runner-up award winners in previous SAMRO
Overseas Scholarships Competitions.
SAMRO Foundation managing director André le Roux noted: “The path of the pioneer and the innovative thinker is seldom
a smooth one, but as long as we embrace the artists, creators, novel troublemakers, inventors, rebels and revolutionaries
in our midst, there is hope for the state of our arts sector.”
Website: www.samrofoundation.org.za
UKZN JAZZ Storytellers Ensemble
VCU/UKZN CONCERT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 8 PM
The UKZN Storytellers who are a part of the third year of the VCU/UKZN "Jazz Bridge to Greater Understanding"
community engagement project. Every person, culture and event has a story. Storytelling predates writing and is a form of
preserving key events. The UKZN Jazz Storytellers Ensemble tells the story of hope, peace and the beauty of diversity in
South Africa through the eyes of these young 'born frees'.
The band is as follows: drummer Jude Ganasen, Rogan Van de Burg on guitar, Bassist Dalisu Ndlazi, vocalist Kwena
Ramahuta from Lephalale in Limpopo and Lungelo Ngcobo on piano. All the members of the ensemble are students in the
jazz programme at UKZN and are active musicians on the South African music scene. UKZN Jazz Storytellers are directed by
Burton Naidoo.
The VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) team will again travel to
Durban, South Africa during VCU's Spring Break in March 2015, where
they will have collaborative concerts with the premiere of four
commissioned works.
The listener can expect Traditional African poetry, Indian Rhythms, Free
Jazz Improvisation, and loads of groove. The ensemble portrays the
image of living in the beautiful coastal City of Durban, South Africa. Most
of the music is original compositions by the students as well as
compositions by Bheki Mseleku and Winston Mankunku Ngozi.
Pic: left to right
Neil Gonsalves, Burton Naidoo (black shirt) , Dalisu Ndlazi (upright bass), Kwena
Ramahuta (back, checked shirt), Rogan Van Den Berg, Lungelo Ngcobo, and Jude
Ganasen (front- blue shirt)
The UKZN Legacy Jazz Band
The UKZN Legacy Jazz Band is scheduled to play at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2014 edition
The band consists of Sebastian Goldswain (guitar), Sakhile Simani (trumpet), Sphelelo Mazibuko (drums), Ildo Nandja
(bass), Linda Sikhakhane (tenor sax), and Sanele Langa (who replaces Lungelo Ngcobo who will be in the USA for the VCU
exchange).
The first event is the Geleza Kleva and Learn Workshop at Auto and General Theatre, Nelson Mandela Square on Thursday
25th September. The next day, Friday 26thSeptember they play a Fringe Stage Performance Standard Bank Joy of Jazz at
Foyer 2 – Sandton Convention Centre from 17h00
X Factor meets UKZN Jazz department
Debbie Mari, our Jazz voice lecturer at UKZN, has recently
been a busy vocal coach! X Factor South Africa, Season 1, is
currently being shot entirely in Durban and Debbie has joined
the Music team as one of the Vocal coaches for Season 1. This
has been a wonderful opportunity for Durban teachers and
musicians who have been asked to join the show produced by
Johannesburg based Rapid Blue Productions for SABC 1. Jazz
students Lungelo Ngcobo (piano) and Dalisu Ndlazi (bass)
have been working with other Durban musicians in the
‘house’ band under the musical direction of James
Bassingthwaighte.
Pic from L to R: James Bassingthwaighte (Musical Director), Debbie Mari
(Vocal Coach), Lungelo Ngcobo (Piano)
Tribute to SIMON KERDACHI
I was very sad to hear of Simon Kerdachi’s recent passing. As I thought for a moment about the years of piano lessons, life
lessons, simple conversations and laughter that I, and many others, was privileged to share with Simon, I was filled with a
sense of joy, not sadness, knowing that part of what I do today is because of time spent with Simon. Simon will long be
remembered as a legendary Durban based pianist who loved to share his story about how he started playing the piano at
the age of 15. Skilled to work as a carpenter, Simon completed his trade and then took a shot at competitive boxing. He
was initially self-taught, until he studied with Lem Colvin and later the renowned John Mehegan whom he met in 1959
when he took Master classes and advanced courses in Jazz piano and improvisation.
Simon would later become one of the leading pianists and piano teachers in Durban, encouraging his students to explore
the art of improvisation, jazz and contemporary piano styles. He opened the Simon Kerdachi Academy of Music in 1972
where he taught piano and also offered organ and guitar lessons taught by others, first in Poynton House in the city centre,
then expanded to include a branch in Pinetown and later from his home in Morningside.
Simon began his career as a pianist in Durban in the 50s. Years later when he was working with bands he also played with
his younger brothers Des (trumpet) and Gerald (drums) eventually leaving his carpentry day job for a prosperous cycle of
contracts to provide live music for a range of events such as weddings, parties, corporate functions and hotel circuits in
and around Durban. In the various bands he led, Simon collaborated with so many Durban jazz musicians for over 50 years
that the list is endless. He worked for many years with Colin Penn (piano), Peter Bosse, Trish Bailey, Dereck Geldenhuys,
Willie Ellison (bass), Gerald Sloane and Sandile Shange (guitar), Tony Daykin and Mike Mazzoni (drums), Milton Johnson,
Phil Harbor, Jerry Kunene, Basil Metaxas, George Hayden (saxophone), Brian Thusi (trumpet) and singers Bobby Minter,
Eve Boswell, Dianne Chandler and Judy Page amongst several others.
There are not many places in Durban with an acoustic piano that Simon has not played: The Blue Note, Maître per, The
Goodwill Hotel, The Cosmo Club, Beverly Hills Hotel, Tropicana Hotel, Elangeni Hotel, Maharani Hotel and The Royal Hotel.
At times a showman but also a sought after solo pianist, Simon had an enviable left hand that would glide effortlessly
through 10ths, then stride piano, then boogie-woogie and passages of walking bass sometimes played with his eyes shut!
He would ‘play up’ for the high tea sessions during his lengthy residency at The Oyster Box Hotel and he provided an
unthinkable number of hours listening pleasure to diners over the years. Simon had memorised hundreds of songs from
Ragtime to modern Jazz standards. He could write a lead sheet in record time away from the piano and was a favourite
accompanist because of his wide repertoire. He was involved in many large scale productions where he composed and
arranged music for live shows, SABC television and radio broadcasts.
Simon and his ‘looking on the bright side’ personality will no doubt be remembered for years to come – he did enjoy telling
a good story both on and off the stage! With Jazz as the personalised art from that it is, each musician contributes their
own style and sound to this genre. When we lose an esteemed contributor such as Simon, we lose a wealth of
undocumented information, oral education from an institution that was Simon Kerdachi. What a privilege it was for me to
perform at a recent benefit concert for Simon, my first jazz teacher, (and the person who gave me my first professional
piano gig) with several top Durban musicians who never thought twice about this gesture. And although he wasn’t meant
to, Simon just couldn’t resist. He took to the stage with his crutches - still learning to walk with a new prosthetic leg after a
diabetes related amputation - and his passion for his piano and played for many of us his last concert, to a room full of his
favourite aficionados. Thank you Simon for all that you shared with us. We will miss you! Our thoughts are with his wife
Yvonne and children Soraya and Nicholas. RIP Simon Kerdachi (8 April 1935 – 2 September 2014)
Debbie Mari, singer and pianist, is a Lecturer in the Jazz Studies programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Jazz News: Tshwane University of Technology
In July 2014 the Programme Coordinator of the Tshwane University of Technology’s Jazz and Popular Music
programme, Chats Devroop, attended the internationally famous Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camp held at the
University of Louisville, Kentucky. The programme commenced with a two-day workshop on how to teach jazz
today. These two days had Jamey Aebersold impart his experience and expertise on the subject as well as introduce
pedagogues to the current trends in the practice. The five-days following that comprised Theory, Ensemble, Jazz
Appreciation, Masterclasses, Concerts and jamming sessions each day. Some of the leading exponents in the field,
such as Dan Haerle, Eric Alexander, Jim Snidero, Tom Walsh, Bobby Shew, amongst others, conducted these sessions.
Chats with Jamey Aebersold
Chats with Bobby Shew (seated), Harry Pickens (left),
Bob Sinicrope (middle).
Leading performer, arranger and composer Gerald Stockton will be guest professor at Tshwane
University of Technology from 28 September – 17 October 2014. Gerald the son of South Africa’s
leading retired pedagogue Noel Stockton has an impressive list of accomplishments as a musician,
composer and arranger. A graduate of the University of North Texas Jazz programme, Gerald
played with the world-renowned One o’Clock Lab Band, performed at the White House and
toured with Andy Williams. He also performed with jazz greats – the likes of the late Michael
Brecker. Gerald will be teaching Music Production, Jazz Ensemble, Jingle Writing, Film Scoring
and Advanced Arranging and Composition during his tenure.
The Unyazi new music Festival brings a host of interesting musicians to South Africa, and one such musician is Ravish
Momin (New York). Ravish integrates contemporary music production with his acoustic drum set using ‘live’
electronics. His solo performances ‘ involves a unique hybrid drumset/laptop set which explores the interaction
between acoustic drumset and Ableton Live. Drum triggers are routed through a Nord 2 drum synthesizer, which
relays sound to a audio-interface that allows him to compose and record loops ‘on the fly’. Ravish will present a
concert and workshop on the 09 September and will cover such styles as Dub, Trap, minimal Techno.
The Tshwane University of Technology’s Little Big Band under the tutorship of
Louis Drummond van Rensburg has had a successful year thus far. They were a
feature of the Gauteng Big Band Festival (May 204), and are invited to two very
prestigious events – a performance at the SAMRO International Overseas Music
Composers Competition (August 2014) and invited to perform at the Jazz
Educator’s Network Conference in San Diego (Jan 2015).
The Tshwane University of Technology’s Little Big Band
Tshwane University of Technology has one of the oldest Jazz programmes in South Africa (commenced in 1983), and
next year sees the introduction of a popular music stream followed by a South African Music, Music Production and
Business stream over the next two years. The popular music major stream will commence in January 2015.
JAZZ ON THE RADIO – with NIGEL VERMAAS
In CONNECTED 2 JAZZ on Tuesday 23 September from 8 - 10 pm on Bush Radio 89.5fm Nigel Vermaas will be profiling
Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2014 Kyle Shepherd and his latest recordings, chiefly his double CD DREAM STATE and
a taste of his solo album INTO DARKNESS, recorded in Japan, where Kyle has been touring this month. Kyle talks frankly to
Nigel about the award, his music and life in general.
On 5th and 12th October on Sunday afternoon at 2.30 pm SAfm 104-107 will be broadcasting Nigel Vermaas's two-part
documentary YOUNG VOICES IN JAZZ, in which we hear young musicians talking, learning, teaching and laughing. Standard
Bank Young Artists for Jazz Shannon Mowday, Shane Cooper, Melanie Scholtz, Bokani Dyer and Kyle Shepherd are joined
by Claude Cozens, the Soil and others.
IN WITH A SHOUT
IN WITH A SHOUT is Dan Shout’s 3rd album.
It is available on CD Baby, iTunes and physically at Mabu Vinyl in Cape Town.
The album was launched on 30 June 2014 at the brand new Reeler Theatre at
Rondebosch Boys High School in Cape Town. It was a huge success and the concert was
sold out. The personnel on the album performed at the launch: Dan Shout, Marc de Kock
and Sisonke Xonti (tenor saxes), Gorm Helfjord (guitar), Andrew Ford (piano), Benjamin
Jeptha (electric bass) and Marlon Witbooi (drums).
SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JAZZ EDUCATION
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL 2014/2015
[ ] NEW
[ ] RENEWAL
NAME: ……………………………………………………..SURNAME:……………………………………………………TITLE: ……………………
ADDRESS:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………POSTAL CODE:…………...............
EMAIL:……………………………………………………………………..WEBSITE: ……………………………………………………………………………
TEL:…………………………………........................................... CELL: ……………………………………………………………………………….
Please tick appropriate category:
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
Individual student ……………….. R200
Individual member ………………. R300
Associate membership ………… R900 (2 members per institution or 2 teachers + 4-6 students per institution)
•
Associate members will be listed in each newsletter (3 per year), on the SAJE website, and in our Festival
and Conference programmes and also on our FACEBOOK info page.
EFT or direct bank deposit:
SAJE
Standard Bank
Account Number: 077337697
Branch: 025109 Claremont
Email: [email protected]
Current SAJE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS:
Bishops (Diocesan College), CAFCA – Mamelodi, Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music @
UKZN, Groote Schuur High School, Music Directorate @ UNISA, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Rondebosch
Boys High School, Rustenburg Girls High School, SA College of Music @ University of Cape Town, St Mary’s School,
Waverley – thank you for your continued support!
Honorary Life Members: Dennis Tini, Cathy and Darius Brubeck, Glynis Malcolm-Smith
LATINFLUENCE
Flamenco guitarist, Demi Fernandez and jazz pianist Neil Gonsalves have released their debut
duo CD, Latinfluence. The title of the CD refers to the broad range of Latin music that the duo
draws influence from. The six tracks include four original compositions and two Latin standards,
which have been elaborately and extensively arranged to demonstrate the orchestral potential
of the guitar and piano duo.
LEAP OF FAITH
The Leap of faith10 TRACK CD, is a product of the very successful and on-going exchange
between the Jazz sections within VCU Arts and the UKZN School of the Arts Music discipline.