Cape Town

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29 May 2009

ARTSCAPE YOUTH JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009

Since it's inception in 2003, Artscape’s Youth Jazz programme has developed into a valuable and successful project for young emerging jazz musicians and their bands. After auditions they receive master classes with acclaimed jazz icons from the Western Cape.

On Saturday 6 June 2009 from 15:00 to 18:00 at the Artscape Theatre three bands selected for the programme - Public Attention (Vredenburg),Touch (Bergvliet) and Ological Studies (Mowbray) will showcase their work at the Youth Jazz Festival which also features their mentors - Melanie Scholtz, Keith Tabisher, Andrew Lilley and Kevin Gibson.

The festival this year is in memory of the late Joe Mthimka and Alex Van Heerden who were both involved in the Artscape Youth Jazz Proframme. Check out the Tribute Exhibition in the Artscape foyer.

'Touch' was formed August 2008. The seven band members are all learners at Bergvliet High School who have known each other since pre-primary and attended the same primary school. They have a passion for a variety of music but are influenced mostly by jazz, fusion, funk, R &B and disco. Their own compositions are a fusion of these genres. All take music as a subject at school, can read music as well as play by ear and are members of the Bergvliet High's Big Band. They do different types of gigs ranging from school functions to charity organizations and have recently taken part in the 2009 Cape Town Jazzathon.

Band Members:
Danielle McKinnon 17 Alto Sax Bergvliet
Chad Hendricks 18 Trumpet Retreat
Jamie Steyn 17 Drums Elfindale
Michael Barnes 17 Trombone Bergvliet
Dino Kareklas 16 Piano/Vocals Southfield
Lauren Mathyse 17 Bass Steenberg

'Public Attention' is a well known band in the Saldanha Bay Municipal area based on the West Coast and known for their Fusion Afro jazz style. The band was formed 3 years ago under the leadership of Jamelo Boois. Their music started in church and developed under the influences of difference types of music. No-one in the band has had any formal training. Some of the band members have travelled overseas and each day is a new learning curve for them.

Band Members:
Jamelo Boois 24 Piano Vredenburg
William van Wyk 20 Bass Vredenburg
Willdrew Maya 21 Drums Atlantis
Frank Williams 34 Guitar Vredenburg


'OLOGICAL STUDIES' - All three members are studying music at the South African College of College of Music at UCT. Sibusiso Dlamini and Phumlani Mtiti have gigged together regularly with Sadé Ross recently joining them to form their small band ‘Ological Studies’. Deviating from the typical jazz combo they enjoy the intimacy of a trio. With the lack of the traditional rhythm section (drums and bass) careful attention is paid to their repertoire choice in order to create fullness of pulse and harmony without losing the depth of music. Communication between the musicians is more intense as they are challenged to work in this format which they find very rewarding.

Band Members:
Sadé Ross 19 Vocals Grassy Park
Sibusiso Dlamini 22 Piano Mowbray
Phumlani Mtiti 21 Saxophone Observatory

MENTORS 2009

MELANIE SCHOLTZ – Voice and Repertoire - Head Mentor / Artistic Director
Melanie Scholtz has been singing from a young age. She graduated from UCT Opera School Cum Laude in 2000. She has appeared on the Felicia Show, SABC Woman of the year awards 2 years in a row. She has also performed The SA National Anthem in front of a world audience at the Presidents' Cup in George. In 2002, she was awarded The Best Jazz Vocalist in the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters. She has performed abroad to audiences in Norway, Holland, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. She is featured on Jimmy Dludlu's Afrocentric album as well as Mark Fransman's Strait and Narro Ahead. In 2006, she released her debut album at Artscape, entitled Zillion Miles. She has worked with the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Joe McBride, Gerald Veasley, the Cape Philharmonic and many more. In 2006 and 2007 she was a mentor to Kidz Can Music Academy in Bonteheuwel and Mentor/ Curriculum advisor in the Artscape Youth Jazz Project in 2006 and 2007.

KEITH TABISHER - Guitar
Keith Tabisher started playing the guitar at the age of 13. He studied classical guitar at UCT SACM with Elspeth Jack and the late Neefa Van Der Schyff. He spent 12 years as a music lecturer at Sallie Davies College and currently works as a Music Curriculum Adviser for the Western Cape Education Department. Keith currently performs with a range of different musicians, covering various genres and musical styles. He works regularly with the Serenade Sax Trio and the guitar duo Jazz, etc. He has recently established Trio du Cap, playing Acoustic Guitar based jazz in a trio setting.

ANDREW LILLEY – Piano and Brass
Andrew Lilley began a career in Architecture but after completing a BAS at UCT, a scholarship to Berkley College of Music, Boston afforded him the opportunity to pursue music. Over a subsequent period of some 4 years he studied under the mentorship of legendary hard bop pianist and composer, Donald Brown, New York Enja recording artist Bruce Barth and the renowned Ray Santisi under whose tutorship many great players, including Keith Jarret, passed. During this time, Lilley also studied film scoring and synthesis and was awarded the NARAS scholarship for Music Technology. He co-composed many scores with well known composer, performer and ex Blood Sweat and Tears trumpet player, Bruce Cassidy, ultimately winning an award for the M-Net New directions movie 'Angel'. He has worked with the finest of the finest including saxophonists, Dale Barlow, Dave O'Higgins and UK alto player Alan Barnes: percussionist Efrain Toro, trumpet player maestro, Bobby Shew and the New York based composer and trombonist John Fetchock. He performs with his own trio on the Cape Town Jazz scene and is currently an Associate Professor at University of Cape Town, lecturing in Jazz studies. Many fine young musicians have passed under his mentorship including BMG recording artists, Jimmy Dludlu, Judith Sephuma and Selaelo Selota. He appears on many jazz recordings releasing his debut album 'Rejoicing' in 2005.

KEVIN GIBSON – Bass, Drums/Percussion
Kevin Gibson was born in Durban, and began performing as a drummer with local musicians from the age of 13. He studied at the University of Natal with Darius Brubeck for 2 years, Berklee College of Music for 3 months and North Florida University for 6 months. He taught drums at UCT for 4 years after moving to Cape Town in 1991, where he currently resides. He has been a teacher and performer at the Standard Bank Youth Jazz Program since 2001, and performed at the Klein Karoo festival in 2007 and 2009. During the five years that South African artists appeared at the North Sea Jazz Festival in holland, he was the only musician from S A to attend all five events, and has performed with at least two bands at each of the C T International Jazz Festivals, appearing with four bands in 2007. He has played in Cuba, Brasil, Russia, Serbia, USA, Canada, England, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Holland and Algeria.

Kevin has performed and travelled with various local and visiting musicians that include - Darius Brubeck , Zim Ngqawana, Johnny Clegg, Koos Kombuis, Laurinda Hofmeyr, Schalk Joubert, Ollie Viljoen, Paul Hanmer, Jackson Browne, Herb Ellis, Johnny Fourie, Winston Mankunku, McCoy Mrubata, Vusi Mahlasela, Sandile Shange, Hotep Galeta and many other South African musicians.

PROGRAMME
Compère Gary van Dyk
Inspired by the great American Songbook
Rodgers and Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Gershwin,
Irving Berlin, Styne and Cahn and Jerome Kern
  • Touch
  • Ological Attention
  • Public Attention
  • Interval
  • Youth Jazz Vocal Ensemble
  • Mentors Band
This annual event is sold out every year because of the extraordinary talent and high standard of performance, so best to book your tickets in advance.

Tickets cost R50. Book through Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695, Shoprite Checkers outlets and on line www.computicket.com There are discounts for students and block bookings.

This project is generously supported by Artscape and Distell.

27 May 2009

Joe Petersen - From The Streets Of Cape Cape Town

One of my favourite hangouts, undoubtedly is the ever popular and legendary Monday Night Jazz Jam and if I miss it for a few weeks, I get withdrawal symptoms.

Although you cannot miss this guy around Cape Town, lately he is also wowing the patrons at the Monday Night Jazz Jam. I am talking about percussionist and vocalist, Joe Petersen. He is an excellent blues and jazz vocalist and gives a very realistic interpretation of the songs he sings.


It is so good to see that Joe is finally getting noticed and that his music is featured on the dvd/cd, "Songs Around the World" and promoted by "Playing For Change".



More links on Joe:
The Streets of Cape Town

Joe Petersen Drums to the Rhythms of Cape Town

26 May 2009

'Save the Festival' Initiative for 2009 Encounters South African International Documentary Festival

An appeal from the Encounters festival director:

Since we made the public aware of the current funding crisis for the upcoming Encounters Documentary Festival (www.encounters.co.za), numerous individuals have approached us with consoling words and offers for help. It is truly encouraging to see how many loyal supporters the festival has!

We can confirm that the NFVF, who have supported the festival for 6 years, will continue to support it this year. Other funders who have committed to the 2009 festival include the British Council, the High Commission of Canada, the French Embassy, Tempest, the Goodman Gallery, Business Arts South Africa, The Times, Exclusive Books, Nu Metro and Cape Town TV. We are still waiting for confirmation of support from the Cape Film Commission.

Of course we would like to make the festival happen as originally planned - without a Johannesburg leg unfortunately, but running for longer in Cape Town from 2 to 19 July 2009 - and we believe that we can with your help.

We would like to encourage you as a friend of the festival to contribute R1000 or more towards the festival budget. Your donation will contribute to cover costs for the South African film screenings at Encounters 2009.
To show our gratitude, we will invite you to the Opening Night on 2 July and in addition issue you 10 complimentary tickets for the festival screenings. Your name and contribution will be listed as one of the “Friends of the Festival” on our website. We believe that this information may ‘challenge’ others to contribute. If, however, you would like to remain anonymous, please let us know.

Please note that in November 2008 Encounters registered a non-profit Section 21 Company - the Encounters Training and Development Institute 2008/026397/08.
It is governed by a Board of Directors, who are:
- Kgomotso Matsunyane – Television Producer (TOM Pictures)
- Dr Susan Levine – Anthropologist (UCT)
- Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC – Chairman, Barloworld Limited
- Professor Ciraj Rassool – Historian (UCT and UWC)
- Mandisa Zitha – Festival Director, Encounters
- Nodi Murphy – Co-Founder, Encounters
- Steven Markovitz – Co-Founder, Encounters

In line with the requirements for a Section 21, the Encounters Training and Development Institute is subject to an annual audit.

Please deposit your donation into the following bank account (and send proof of payment to reception@encounters.co.za or Fax 021 4616964):
Bank: Nedbank
Branch: Gardens Cape Town
Branch Code: 10 100 900
Account Name: Encounters Training & Development Institute
Acc No.: 1010 113518 (Current Account)

If you would like to help but cannot afford a monetary donation, here are a few suggestions of how to show your loyalty to the festival:

1. Are you a hobby Paparazzo? If you take fairly good pictures and have a digital camera, you could cover our opening night and world première events and make your pictures available to us free of charge.
2. Get the word out there: If you have some time on your hands, help us distribute our programme booklets and posters in cafés, libraries, shops and other suitable venues in your area as from 11 June.
3. Hobby Chef needing to be discovered? Maybe even heading your own home catering business? Impress our guests at the opening night or world première functions with your culinary expertise.
4. Do you have an uncle who owns a wine estate? We are looking for a sponsor providing wine and/or other beverages for the opening night and other events.
5. If you own a 3 star hotel or Bed & Breakfast (preferably Waterfront vicinity), how about accommodating any one of our festival guests free of charge for 3 to 5 nights?
6. You’re a budding filmmaker or just enjoy multimedia editing? Please present us your ideas for the Encounters 2009 trailer (30 sec screen advert based on the 2009 Encounters design; includes festival dates, venues, website and sponsors’ logos). This might take up to 3 days of your life….
7. If you have time during the festival to volunteer to work at the cinemas, please let us know.
8. None of the above? Then mobilize your friends and extended family to visit the festival screenings on a daily basis. Encounters is on at Nu Metro V&A Waterfront from 3 to 19 July, you can choose from at least four screenings per evening. Tickets cost R33. Forward the Encounters program to all your e-mail contacts, rave about it on your face book profile and help us get full houses for every screening.

Thank you in advance for your support. For any enquiries please contact Irmgard Schreiber on project@encounters.co.za.

Kind regards
Mandisa Zitha
Festival Director

24 May 2009

The Kyle Shepherd Group in CONCERT

fineART Music supported by Fine Music Radio proudly presents

The Kyle Shepherd Group in CONCERT....modern South African Jazz!

The Kyle Shepherd Group, featuring Kyle Shepherd (piano), Buddy Wells (sax), Shane Cooper (double bass), Jonno Sweetman (drums), Lwanda Gogwana (trumpet) and Ethan Smith (sax) perform live at:

8pm on SATURDAY 30 MAY 2009 at the SABC AUDITORIUM, Beach Road, Sea Point, Cape Town

Tickets cost R80 (R60 - Students / Pensioners - proof required)

Bookings are Essential and can be made by emailing info@kyleshepherd.co.za or by calling 072 351 5204.

In the space of only a few years, Shepherd's rise in the Jazz world has been nothing short of meteoric. From the time he won the inaugural FMR/Pick ‘n Pay Travel Awards in 2005, to performances, local & abroad, with Jazz luminaries such as Errol Dyers, Robbie Jansen, Louis Moholo, Mccoy Mrubata, Zim Ngqawana & Hilton Schilder, through to the launch of his critically acclaimed Debut Album "fineART" in January 2009 and more recently, his appearance at the 2009 Cape Town International Jazz Festival, there's simply no stopping the heights that Shepherd, whom Andre Manuel (Cape Times) aptly describes as "one of the chief architects of modern Cape jazz.” will go to!

So what can audiences expect to hear at this concert? "With The Kyle Shepherd Group, a six-piece band with a strong rhythm and horn section, I have an opportunity to more harmonically, more creatively stretch my compositions way beyond their original shape & sound, and in so doing, push the boundaries of what I call modern South African Jazz. We'll be playing music from my Debut Album as well as some new material." Kyle Shepherd

"(his compositions) unashamedly display his cultural music traditions, drawing on the unique rhythms, harmonies, and melodic devices of what Kyle calls “music from home”. Carol Martin (SAJE - South African Association for Jazz Education).

"It’s this ‘Proudly South African’ tradition that audiences can expect to hear" ... "which sees the multi-instrumentalist navigate an impressionistic collage of South African jazz sounds, from slam poetic minimalist re-imaginings of Afrikaans volksliedjies and Muslim calls to prayer, to goema groove deconstructions, tributes to Abdullah Ibrahim, Ngqawana’s philosophy of “Zimology” and more that, as the doyen of South African jazz scribes Gwen Ansell pointed out in Business Day recently: “live in the jazz world but are never imprisoned by it”. Miles Keylock (Mail & Guardian)


The Debut CD "fineART" is on sale at most leading CD Stores in South Africa including Musica Mega Store, Look & Listen, Jive City, Just CD, The African Music Store.

http://www.kyleshepherd.co.za

17 May 2009

CAPE TOWN BIG BAND JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009



CAPE TOWN BIG BAND JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009
Thursday 21, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May at 19h45 (Baxter Concert Hall)

Thursday, 21 May: Little Giants, Wynberg Boys' High, Beau Soleil, Heathfield High, Pinelands High, Rondebosch Boys' High

Friday, 22 May: Stellenbosch Youth Jazz Band, Alexander Road High (PE), Bergvliet High, Bishops, Rustenburg Girls' High, Bergvliet J2, Alumni Big Band

As part of The Rhythm Road American Music Abroad Program, piano player Helen Sung & NuGenerations will perform as guests on Friday evening(22 May 2009).


Saturday, 23 May: Sans Souci, SA College Junior, Westerford, SA College High, UCT Big Band

Arranged by Ann Barr. For more information, call 021 797 6657 or e-mail:anncbarr@hotmail.com.

Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival

Prices: Adults R60, students and senior citizens R35

Discounts: Book for all three evenings for R150

Booking through Computicket

http://www.baxter.co.za

14 May 2009

AFRO FIESTA featuring Titi Tsira


AFRO FIESTA
featuring Titi Tsira

Thursday 21 May
20h / R40
@ Alliance Française
155 Loop Street

Afro Fiesta has emerged from a fusion of various styles incorporating Makosa, Kwasa-Kwasa, hints of Latino and Afro-jazz, making their concerts truly unforgettable.

“There is so much love for the land they come from, love inspired through lyrics, stories made of simple things and values of everyday life. Their love is enriched with joyful rhythms, it is a love oozing melodic emotions and harmonic pleasure”. Scazzola Giovani Pietro, Radio Gold Popular Network.

Afro Fiesta have performed in many places throughout South Africa and they have just arrived from a US tour with an organization called Playing For Change.

Le Café de l'Alliance sera spécialement ouvert pour l'occasion et vous proposera : sandwiches, croque-monsieur, plateau de fromages et une sélection de cafés, de boissons rafraîchissantes, bière et vin au verre.

The Café de l'Alliance will be specially open and will offer: sandwiches, croque-monsieur, plateau de fromages and a selection of coffees and soft drinks, beer and wine by the glass.

Alliance Française
155 Loop Street, Cape Town
culture.cpt@alliance.org.za
www.alliance.org.za
021 423 56 99

04 May 2009

Exam Papers

Somebody asked me the other day, where can they get old exam papers for their kid doing grade 12 this year. They were specifically looking for math papers. Being in IT, I asked them if they had tried the internet.

There are plenty of resources and links on the internet. I honestly think that these should be shared. Here are some:

Western Cape Educational Department:

Mathematics in the Western Cape Education Department
Examinations and Assessment: Grade 12 Preparatory examination papers and suggested answers (September 2008)

Department of Education RSA
Examplers 2008

SA History
Exam exemplars

Other links:
Western Cape Education Department Curriculum Department

schoolsRus

It is really encouraging to see how some education departments have embraced information technology in making the learning experience more helpful for our learners.

If you have more, let's share it...

02 May 2009

CAPE TOWN MARIMBA FESTIVAL 2009



Friday, 15 May:
Herschel, St Cyprian's, Edgemead Primary and High, Bishops, Milnerton High, Music Therapy Community Clinic, Rustenburg Girls' High

Saturday, 16 May:
St Joseph's Marist College, Wynberg Girls' Preparatory and High, Pinelands High, Cedar House, Camps Bay High, Forres, Reddam House, SAEP.

Both evenings will feature a mass marimba band , and guest performances by amaAmbush SIYEZA and Manenberg high School Steel Band

The Marimba Festival is arranged by Ann Barr as part of the annual Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival. For more information, call 021 797 6657 or e-mail:anncbarr@hotmail.com.

Prices: Adults R60, students and senior citizens R35

Discounts: Book for both evenings for R100

http://www.baxter.co.za

Kyle Shepherd Trio In Concert



The Kyle Shepherd Trio, featuring SA’s most accomplished young jazz artists, namely, Kyle Shepherd, Shane Cooper (db) & Jonno Sweetman (d) perform live at WELGEMEEND (map below) on Fri 08 May 09.

Kyle launched his Debut Album entitled "fineART" in Jan 09. You can look forward to hearing his original compositions from the album at the concert.

“Authenticity is another word for originality and this is clearly evident in Kyle’s compositions, arrangements and improvisation. He has managed to find a balance between the intellect and intuition. Kyle is a meditator and a poet.” Zim Ngqawana, SA Music Legend

Bookings essential! R80.00 (R60.00 Students & Pensioners: proof required)


"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk
"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk

Hamba Kahle Winston Mankunku Ngozi - Tributes

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