Cape Townbased afrojazz band Kujenga. Picture: Supplied
The countdown is on for the 25th Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, and to celebrate this landmark event, Standard Bank is hosting a free concert on Thursday, September 26, at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. If you’re ready for an evening filled with soulful tunes and infectious energy, this is one concert you won’t want to miss.
Titled “Follow the Blue Note – Jazz in the Square,” this concert serves as the grand finale of the Follow the Blue Note Series, a vibrant lead-up to the main festival. The event kicks off at 6pm and features a stellar lineup that promises to light up the night.
Headlining the concert is the talented Sisonke Xonti, a saxophonist and the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz.
He will be joined by the dynamic Siya Makuzeni, a trombone player, vocalist, and lyricist who was also honoured as a Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz in 2016.
Adding to the line-up are the Cape Town-based afro-jazz sensation Kujenga and the electrifying DJ Castro.
Attendees are invited to bring their own jazz instruments and voices for an impromptu jam session. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join in the musical magic and share the stage with some of the finest talents in the jazz scene.
“The ‘blue note’ is a special note in jazz, and as the ‘blue’ bank, we found it fitting to create a series of events leading up to the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival.
“South African audiences are renowned for their enthusiastic participation in live concerts. These blue note events are about mobilising jazz and music lovers,” said Bonga Sebesho, the group head of sponsorship at Standard Bank, emphasised the importance of the event.
This concert also aims to benefit the local economy. While the area will be cordoned off for the event, surrounding restaurants will remain accessible, allowing attendees to enjoy a meal before or after the festivities.
So grab your friends, your instruments, and your dancing shoes, and make your way to Nelson Mandela Square for an evening of unforgettable jazz. With free entry and a lineup that promises to deliver, it’s the perfect way to kick off the 25th Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival.
IOL