The 2016 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival will bring a jam-packed lineup of both local and international acts on one stage.
This year’s lineup presents heavyweights acts; Bob James, José James, Houston Person, Kendrick Scott and Kahil El’Zabar, who will join SA luminaries Jonathan Butler and Sibongile Khumalo at Joburg’s Sandton Convention Centre from 15 to 17 September, 2016.
American jazz giant Gerald Albright and South Africa’s Jonathan Butler will join forces on the opening night. Renowned American musician Bob James will join the galaxy of stars. James is a two-time Grammy Award-winning smooth jazz keyboardist, arranger and record producer, and is recognised as one of the original founders of smooth jazz and renowned for the complexity of his arrangements and instrumentals.
The line-up includes Grammy Award winner Bill Champlin, who co-founded the legendary Bay Area band the Sons of Champlin, but who is perhaps best known for his nearly three decades as a member of Chicago. He joins forces with four time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Deniece Williams; Brenda Russell (the co-creator of the music and lyrics for the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit The Color Purple) and drummer Paul Peress in a not-to-be-missed collaboration called Sounds of Love.
South African greats billed for this year’s edition, are: Barney Rachabane, Sibongile Khumalo, 2015 Grammy Award-winning flautist Wouter Kellerman; The Voice South Africa coach Lira and perennial favourites Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse and Ringo.
There are some exciting collaborations this year. The Graz Roots Project celebrates past South African composers and musicians who gave future generations the sound of mbaqanga, mgqashiyo, maskandi and African jazz, and features a powerhouse of musicians including Billy Monama, Concord Nkabinde, McCoy Mrubata, Lwanda Gogwana, Mduduzi Mtshali, Paki Peloeole and Themba Mokoena.
The star-studded line-up will also feature the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz Siya Makuzeni; Nonfunda Xaluva; America’s Kendrick Scott; Max-Hoba; Israel’s Ester Rada; Lindiwe Maxolo; Mozambique’s Moreira Chonguica; Judith Sephuma; Ntjam Rosie accompanied by the Dutch All Stars Orchestra in a programme titled Jazz Roots, the Music Academy of Gautengand the National Youth Jazz Band.