South Africa’s Top Jazz Acts at EFG London Jazz Festival

South Africa’s top jazz acts, including legendary jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, will be showcasing the country’s cultural zeitgeist at the prestigious annual EFG London Jazz Festival, which kicks off today, 14 November.

This year’s top South African acts will be featured as part of the SA Season in the UK, a programme which is designed to showcase South African artists in the UK. The SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015 is a partnership between the South African Department of Arts and Culture and the British Council.

“The SA-UK Seasons open up opportunities for a meaningful cultural exchange that will create networks to encourage job creation and economic self-reliance among artists,” says Minister of Arts & Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.

Boasting an eclectic mix of both old and contemporary signature sounds, the South African performers are set to hold their own amongst a multinational galaxy of stars at the festival.

If you’re in London – two events not to be missed are the two talks themed ‘South Africa 20 years on and the legacy of the Blue Notes’.

These feature panels of musicians and specialists discussing the impact of South African musicians exiled by apartheid on the British local scene and will take a musical journey of South Africa in the 20 years since democracy.

On the same day, the 24-piece Dedication Orchestra will perform at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, fired by the whip-crack drumming of surviving band member, Louis Moholo-Moholo, and will also showcase the evocative sounds of Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza and Johnny Dyani.

Abdullah Ibrahim who turned 80 last month, will lead two groups at the festival, namely his charismatic sextet group Ekaya, with its unique township jazz sound; and a new trio with reeds player, Cleave Guyton, and Noah Jackson on cello.

Jazz flautist, Gareth Lockrane, will be showcasing some of his own original compositions and will also perform a specially arranged set aimed at reviving ‘lost’ compositions of the visionary South African pianist and composer, Bheki Mseleku.

Bokani Dyer, a formidable young pianist who boasts a strong individual sound, intriguing compositions and captivating live performances, will deliver a signature set at the Vortex Jazz Club.

South African trumpeter, Claude Deppa, and his new band will dig deep into the African soul.

According to South Africa’s Project Leader for the SA Season in the UK, Commissioner-General, Bongani Tembe, the EFG London Jazz Festival is expected to attract approximately 100,000 attendees over 10 days and reach over 2 million people through BBC Radio broadcasting.

Bongani said “both the 2014 and 2015 editions of the festival will have a South African focus showcasing not just the established international South African artists but up-and-coming stars as well.”

Director of the EFG London Jazz Festival, Claire Whitaker, said having worked in South Africa and with South African artists for over two decades she is “personally delighted” that this Festival “marks and celebrates both the significant contribution made by South African artists to the world wide jazz scene, as well as celebrating 20 years of democracy for the country.”

The Festival will provide a platform to reflect South Africa’s cultural assets which should be enjoyed locally whilst receiving exposure to international markets.

Minister Mthethwa observed that the SA-UK Seasons 2014/2015 also “marks the deepening of bonds that tie together the people of our two countries and, hopefully, will result in a better appreciation of our mutual history and heritage. Our artists are custodians of the soul of this country and help to forge stronger relations and create platforms to foster mutual understanding through the arts.”

Earlier this year, as part of the SA Season in the UK, a number of South African artists and groups performed at Ekhaya during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and at six Edinburgh Festivals. So far more than 250 South African artists (both established and up and coming) have participated in the 2014 SA Seasons’ related activities in the United Kingdom and more than 300,000 people have witnessed these programmes.

The London Jazz Festival runs from 14 – 23 November 2014.

Go South African Culture! (And Happy Birthday Abdullah Ibrahim.)

Watch Video: Abdullah Ibrahim, 2007 on Robbin Island

More Info

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