Kujenga's count down to Joy of Jazz

THE countdown to the 25th annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has officially begun.

The festival is scheduled to take place from 27 to 28 September at the Sandton Convention Centre, north of Joburg.

It's excitement all around, not only for fans but for the artists as well. Coming all the way from Cape Town and ready to bring fire to Jozi is the award-winning Afro-jazz group, Kujenga, who can't wait to hit the stage.

The seven-member group has had an incredible year since the release of their hit album, In the Wake. The group has been booked and busy, performing at their own sold-out shows and at big shows and festivals across Mzansi.

The group is made up of seven members: twin brothers Zwide Ndwandwe on bass guitar and Owethu Ndwandwe on piano, Thane Smith on electric guitar, Keno Carelse on drums, Bonga Mosola on trumpet, Matthew Rightford on the tenor sax, and Tamzyn Freeks on trombone.

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Speaking to Daily Sun about how the group feels about being on the line-up, Zwide said:

"It felt incredible getting that call. We thought they'd hit us up next year. We've been to Joburg for a couple of shows and the love has been overwhelming. It's such a big thing for us to be acknowledged in this way, on what we believe is the biggest platform for any musician. It felt like our hard work's seen,"

He said the show will feel like heaven and earth for all the people who'll be there.

In the Wake is the group's second album, which scored them the Best Newcomer Award at the Mzantsi Jazz Awards on 31 August.

It features popular songs such as Hymn For Hani, Lesedi, Clarion Call, Abaphantsi, and Remembrance.

Zwide said winning felt like a dream.

"We have so much to be grateful for. It's just mass euphoria," he said.

Asked what the main theme of their music is, Zwide said: "The big thing for us is the level of consciousness; consciousness about our situation. The music feels like it's fun but it's actually written in the midst of devastation, so much uncertainty, and so much loss. One of the things we're really hoping people hear is the sincerity and the message in the music,"

Other artists set to perform over two fun-filled days, across the four main stages, include Feya Faku, Chris Botti, Thandiswa Mazwai, Darren English, Keiko Matsui, Fatoumata Diawara, Lizz Wright, Tutu Puoane, Sibongile Mngoma, Mandisi Dyantjis and Victor Masondo.