Cape Town hosts jazz festival

By Charles Otieno

Top jazz acts are gearing for the Cape Town International Jazz festival to be held at the end of next month. The festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary, is known as Africa Grandest Gathering and will feature Grammy award–winner Dianne Reeves, Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Butler, David Koz, Al Foster Quartet, Arturo Lledo, Dave Liebman Group, Freshlyground, Incognito, Loading Zone, Maceo Parker, New York Voices among others.

Jonathan Butler and Dave Koz collaboration will be the highlight of the Festival. The South African guitarist and US saxophonist are renowned for their sweet and smooth jazz sounds. Butler regularly collaborates with the saxophonist. Koz was a guest in Butler’s 2005 CD, Jonathan. In December, last year, the two appeared in concerts dubbed Dave Koz & Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas.

US jazz superstar Al Foster Quartet who replaced Jack De Johnette when he left the Miles Davis band in 1972 will also perform. Al Forster’s association continued until Miles’ death in 1991 when he formed his own quartet. His album Love, Peace and Jazz displays the perceptive drumming that blew Miles thirty-six years ago.

Another notable performance will be from Spanish jazz great Arturo Lledo. The guitarist who spent 14 of his formative years as a musician in Brazil will play anything from beautiful boleros to samba and bossa nova.

Dave Liebman Group from US will replay John Coltrane and Miles Davis music. Since 1991, the 62-year-old saxophonist has played with guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Marko Marcinko. The group’s recordings mirror Liebman’s varied musical idioms and the band’s abundant energy.

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Jazz diva

Dianne Reeves the only vocalist to win Grammy Awards in the Best Jazz Vocal Performance category for three consecutive recordings will also bring down the roof. She scooped these for her 2001 In the Moment, 2002 The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughn and 2003 A Little Moonlight.

The 69-year-old trumpeter Hugh Masekela will also thrill the festival.

UK group Incognito who released the debut album Jazz Funk in 1981, will entertain with cutting edge dance music. Formed in the era of disco and funk, the group evolved and was at the forefront of acid jazz in the 1990s. The group’s latest CD Tales from the Beach was recorded in three countries; a testimony to the multiculturalism of the band.

Other acts include 340ml (Mozambique), Abigail Kubeka (RSA), Cape Town Jazz Orchestra (RSA), Carlo Mombelli & Prisoners of Strange (RSA), Goldfish (RSA) Jonathan Kyle Shepherd (RSA), Magic Malik (France), McCoy Mrubata & Special Friends (RSA), Mike del Ferro/Sibongile Khumalo/Shannon Mowday Collaboration (US/RSA), Mos Def (US).