Jazzy Cape Town

Charles Otieno

From Cape Town’s Waterfront to the imposing Table Mountains, the smooth sounds from great stars filled the air during the two-day jazz music extravaganza on April 3 and 4. Celebrating its 10th year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival lived up to its billing as ‘Africa’s grandest gathering’ . And for the first time, grand master of African jazz, Hugh Masekela, celebrated his 70th birthday on stage with his fans as Cape Town-born jazz master Jonathan Butler paid a moving tribute to "Mama Africa" Miriam Makeba, and his mom who passed on while he was on tour of United States.

First on stage on day one was Cape Town-born popular vocalist Ringo Madlingozi who wowed the crowd at Kippies – the biggest venue of all the five enjoined stages. The fast emerging singer’s hit, Sondela, was met with rapturous applause as fans sang along to the catchy chorus. He also sang Baleka and Ekuseni. Ringo’s

Stylistics performing at the festival. [PHOTO: SHADLEY LOMBARD]

performance proved that his perseverance through succession of bands, and session work was paying dividends. Ringo has recorded with Hugh Masekela, Simply Red and Teddy Pendergrass (The Power of One).

Next was South Paw, which consists of only left handed musicians, thrilled hundreds of fans. Led by brothers Stephan and Daniel Roach, their show was eye opening. And as they wound up their performance at Basseline, energetic trumpeter Ndumiso Nyovane thrilled fans at Basil Mannenberg stage. The Soweto-born musician who cut his teeth in Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse’s band was a revelation. But jazz purists headed for Moses Molelekwa stage to listen to Kyle Shepherd Quartet. At only 21, Kyle is fast becoming one of the most accomplished jazz pianist and prolific composers. His performance was fresh and refined for his age.

As he left the stage fans headed for jazz classic performance where Dr Malombo Philip Tabane, the South African guitar wizard and his ensemble did not disappoint. His guitar spoke different dialects when he plucked half and quarter notes.

As Tabane bowed, thousands were ushering in evergreen Jonathan Butler at the Kippies stage. He performed together with American contemporary jazz great, Dave Koz, Patti Austin, and a Diane Revees cameo. The Grammy award-winning superstars, Butler and Koz, proved that smooth jazz was still the rave of fans. Butler paid tribute to Makeba as he did the rendition of her Pata Pata song. He later invited US songstress Patti Austin for a duet.

Right notes

As Patti exited, Butler rocked before inviting Koz on stage. The duo, who collaborated in the album, Jonathan, brought the roof down. Koz was sleek, hitting all the high notes with his saxophone, and blended well with Butler’s guitar riffs into perfect harmony. Later Koz performed a few of his songs before leaving stage for jazz lady Diane Reeves to do a duet with Butler. But the man of the moment cooled the temperatures as he soulfully sang Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry as tribute to his late mother. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he strummed his guitar.

The next star on Basseline stage was Pete Philly & Perquisite and Shakatak at Manenberg stage. We also watched the talented jazz stars, New York Voices and later Magic Malik Orchestra. It was not long before Freshlyground wowed fans with Doo Be Doo among other songs.

Goldfish was next followed with massively popular South African songstress Siphokazi. Later Standard jazz fans enjoyed an out-of-this-world performance from Al Foster Quartet. As they bowed out, The Robert Glasper Experiment took the centre stage.

Music fusion

As the hour hit midnight, songstress Zap Mama performed although most of the band members were new and did not live up to expectation. As she left stage the old men of R&B, Stylistics, proved that age is nothing but a number. Their ballads warmed the rather chilly night as the crowd danced along. We later retired to bed after a heavy show from Incognito after Sibongile Khumalo, Mike Del Ferro and Shannon Mowday did a fusion of opera and jazz. Another performer of the night was Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners of Strange.

The next day’s performance was opened by Jonathan Rubain followed by massively popular South Africa diva Abigail Kubeka. Later Maurice Gawronsky Quartet featuring Feya Faku took the centre stage. Zaki Ibrahim also impressed as well as Cape Town Jazz Orchestra.

Musician Nalma was a revelation but Peter White was outstanding. It was time for Kyle Eastwood Band to impress as Peter White exited. The band led by veteran actor Clint Eastwood’s son Kyle proved that he was a good jazz musician. Later 340ml took to the stage before the diva of the concert, Reeves, brought the roof down with splendid vocals. Other performers included Marceo Parker, Stewart Sekuma, Emily Bruce, hugely popular jazz master McCoy Mrubata and Special Friends, Rus Nerwich, Arturo Lledo, Loading Zone and a rather disappointing Mos Def.

But the night belonged to Hugh Masekela who was celebrating his 70th birthday. After Dave Liebman Quartet all jazz fans waited for Masekela’s performance with bated breath. And he did not disappoint. His show was fit for a birthday boy as curtains came down.