MZANSI jazz musicians are set to share the stage with their overseas counterparts at the KZN International Jazz Day festival.
The festival will be held at The Station Urban Event Space on 3 June.
Jazz musician Richard Bona from the USA and Yayoi Ikawa from Japan will grace the stage.
Umkhumbane jazz Ensemble Nduduzo Makhathini, Xolisa Dlamini, Selaelo Selota, Zawadi Yamungu, Mthobisi Mthalane, Bongani Nkwanyana and many more will also perform on the day.
Event organiser, who is also Umkhumbane jazz Ensemble member Atlas Duma, told Daily Sun that the event was supposed to happen in 2020 but it was interrupted by Covid-19.
“The event was cancelled when many jazz lovers, including overseas people and African countries, already knew about it.
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“It inspired many people, and they encouraged us to host it and we started the Art Connect Africa to be able to connect with global jazz musicians and I was voted as the secretary,” he said.
He said being part of Art Connect Africa makes it easier for them as artists to connect and to book an artist from outside the border.
Duma, who is the founder of Siyagiya records label and foundation, said their event is different from other jazz festivals because it is strictly jazz musicians only.
“We want to make our own signature jazz festival with this upcoming festival as it will be formal and highly disciplined.
“Jazz attracts senior citizens, and we want them to enjoy it by sitting down, enjoying music and eating without any interruption of unnecessary dance moves,” he said.
He said as the musicians under Siyagiya, including Mthobisi Mthalane and Bongani Nkwanyana, they are honoured to share the stage with international jazz musicians.
“It is also impressive to see how international jazz musicians love their music and South Africa.
“Richard Bona charged us 50% of his booking fee while Yayoi Ikawa was willing to pay herself all traveling fees and accommodation fees,” Duma said.
He said that to maintain discipline, they will have no cooler boxes allowed and everything will be available at the venue.
