How is a virtuosic jazz pianist born or made?
Submitted by Standard Bank Team on Thu, 2010/09/09 - 12:28
How is a virtuosic jazz pianist born or made? Mark Fransman chatted with us and told us about his beginnings.
What was your experience of music as a child?
I had a happy musical childhood. Being involved in the church and having my mom as the choir leader was a lot of fun as I learnt all kinds of things, from harmony to ear training.
Where did your interest in the piano and sax begin? Read more »
Lots of fusion, too few stages - Nicholas Williams on the SA Jazz Scene
Submitted by Standard Bank Team on Fri, 2010/08/13 - 15:18
Chatted this morning to Cape Town-based jazz musician, Nicholas Williams about playing piano as part of the Standard Bank’s Moving Billboard at the NFA in Grahamstown and his take on jazz in SA. He enjoyed the open-stage, where youngsters were invited to play, sing and rap at DSG School and said interest came mostly from student musicians from UCT and Rhodes. Read more »
Saxophonist Dan Shout, who appeared on the Standard Bank Moving Billboard for the National Arts Festival, describes himself as a musical chameleon whose style is sometimes afro-pop, sometimes lounge,
sometimes swing and most notably jazz fusion.
What was your experience of music as a child? Read more »
“Puppetry, an ancient medium, is taking on new forms and offering a new language in theatre that provides an extraordinary experience” explains Janni Younge, Winner of Standard Bank’s Young Artist Award for Theatre.
“It’s essentially metaphoric. In other words, by using puppets you’re already working with a metaphor which encourages an audience to embark on a flight of fancy that stimulates the imagination and opens the mind to new ways of approaching ideas. It’s also versatile. It can be used naturalistically, comically, poetically – and can reach all ends of the scale.” Read more »
The Eastern Cape is a province that produces some of our countries top talents across fields. Top politicians, business figures and sporting greats but the province has become content with being the breeding ground for stronger economic hubs to poach. As the Eastern Cape All Stars performed, boasting some of the top names in the jazz scene including Feya Faku, Clement Benny, Andile Yenana, Lulama Gawulana, Lex Futshane and the yougster, Kyle Du Preez, it was evident that the country’s economic minnow is more than capable of producing a world class outfit. Read more »
The 2010 Standard Bank Jazz Festival line-up saw some of the biggest names in jazz ignite the torch, in Grahamstown that will burn for many years to come. Our hat off to Alan Webster, the Jazz Festival Director, for putting together a programme that has exceeded all expectations and left audiences yearning for more. The Standard Bank Jazz Festival at The Grahamstown National Arts Festival has – over the years - built its stature to become one of the premium jazz properties on the calendar, and this year star-studded line-up took it a few notches higher. Read more »
2010's Standard Bank Jazz Festival through a review mirror
Submitted by Standard Bank Team on Mon, 2010/07/05 - 17:48The National Arts festival has grown over the years to become, not only the Eastern Cape’s but the country’s number one arts platform, which sees thousands of arts enthusiasts flock to the educational town of Grahamstown. With leading schools such as St Andrews College, Diocesan School for Girls and Victoria Girls High School, a cathedral and Rhodes University, this small city has inspired and will continue to inspire generations to come. Read more »
As the festival wired down, South Africa’s favorite song-bird treated us to an acoustic set down memory lane with piano, percussion and guitar. Any set that kicks off with an African standard like MacKay Davashe’s composition “Lakutshon’ ilanga” is sure to capture the hearts of most local jazz audiences. The talent that is Sylvester Mazinyane behind any piano gives vocalists the luxury to explore their ranges. Read more »
Samson Diamond’s start in music was informed by accident not intention though it soon became necessary to his existence. What follows is an edited version of an interview with this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Music.
What are you performing at this year’s National Arts Festival?
Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A minor Op. 21 by Eugène Ysaÿe
Black Angels for amplified string quartet by Geroge Crumb
What was your experience of music as a child? Read more »
All previous recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award, Andile Yenana on piano, Concord Nkabinde on bass, Kesivan Naidoo on drums and Mark Fransman on saxophone, warm up DSG Hall with an captivating Duke Makhazi arrangement in welcoming, on stage the 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner, Melanie Scholtz. The beautiful Miss Scholtz elegantly opens with a beautiful poem followed by beautiful modal interchange as she scats away on a Professor Hotep Idris Galeta composition. Read more »
Claire Angelique’s entirely fascinating Black Little Heart
Submitted by Standard Bank Team on Wed, 2010/06/30 - 15:19
“Your plans for the future?” I ask Claire Angelique, Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner for Film. “To complete my collections of Hancock half hour dvds. Find a South African Railway Captain’s uniform from the 19th Century that fits me and take out dental insurance.” … - So here’s an honest girl, brave enough not to temper her reality for anyone, anytime soon I realise. Swiftly I’m propelled to find out anything I can about her and this is what I've learnt: Read more »
If it were a chilled Jozi evening down the streets of Sophiatown, the sounds of Barney Rachabane would transform the Diocesan School for Girls.
For those who know this amazing performer, know him for his checked shirt and brown jacket that gives a nostalgic 70s feel. “Kwela Mama” saw a well-seasoned collaboration open the set with a Barney Rachabane composition, arranged with a whole lot of South African heritage. The use of well-timed dynamics evoking a lot of wisdom nods and cheers as the quartet imparted its musical genius on the audience. Read more »
On what seemed to be a warmer than usual Grahamstown evening, the DSG Hall was quick to fill to capacity in anticipation of the maestro, Danilo Perez tickling the ebony and ivory along with South Africa’s finest – Sibongile Khumalo, Shannon Mowday, Victor Masondo and Clement Benny. The worldly audience of jazz aficionados, in higher decibels, than vuvuzelas at soccer city, was an indication of the excitement that was in the air. Read more »
We've had a chat with Alan Webster about his views on the National Arts Festival
Submitted by Standard Bank Team on Thu, 2010/06/10 - 13:28The National Arts Festival is less than a fortnight away, but Jazz Festival director, Alan Webster, found time to answer some questions on a subject he’s obviously passionate about.
Who will the opening act be?
The Moreira Project – a hip Cape Town-based band featuring Mozambican saxophonist Moreira Chongueica.
Who else is going to be there? Read more »
Meet Mlu Zondi, he's got all the right moves
Submitted by Standard Bank Team on Wed, 2010/06/02 - 12:58
It’s a platitude and a truism that when you want something done, you’d better ask a busy person. Despite preparing for an interactive art video installation entitled; CINEMA for the National Festival of the Arts, Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for dance, Mlu Zondi, found the time to answer some of our questions.
What dance training have you had?
I started dancing Pantsula when I was nine. As an adult, I enrolled at the Durban University of Technology where I specialised in contemporary dance and choreography.
How would you define dance? Read more »
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