ARTSCAPE YOUTH JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008

The word is out: The Artscape Youth Jazz Festival 2008 will happen on 21 June 2008 from 15h00 to 18h00 at the Artscape Theatre.

Festival organisers had a tough task in selecting the final groups to take part in the festival. "Well-known jazz artists who formed the judging panel are also this year’s mentors and will perform with the bands. They include : Melanie Scholtz, Keith Tabisher, Andre Swartz, Andrew Lilley and Wesley Rustin."

"Amongst the diverse disciplines required, ESP Fusion (Stellenbosch), Incredibles Brass (Nyanga East), Fusion–Settlers High (Bellville) and South Peninsula High School (Bergvliet) showed exceptional talent and within the jazz genre, displayed their professional ability, had a good understanding of the jazz idiom and ability to improvise. The bands are actively performing at clubs or schools in areas across the Western Cape and their
ages ranges from 14 to 34 years."

DETAILS ON THE BANDS

INCREDIBLES BRASS
The Incredibles Brass was formed in 2005 Roy Roode who is passionate about developing the youth In the Nyanga East location where all the band members come from. The group started with six Horn players, 3 Trumpeters 2 Trombonists as well as Roy himself on Trumpet. Incredibles Brass have played many gigs without a rhythm section, playing mostly Afro Jazz which includes the ‘Umbhaqanga’ style. They have been invited by well-known
professional bands such as Little Giants and Bra Cups Big Band to perform together, giving them the opportunity of experiencing playing with a rhythm section. Now a group of 9 musicians they have their own a rhythm section.

Band members
Siyamthanda Makatesi 18 Trumpet Mkhonto Nyanga East
Mpumelelo Siduna 26 Trumpet Mkhonto Nyanga East
Mbongeni Mshweshwe 19 Trombone K.T.C Nyanga East
Zukile Finini 19 Trombone K.T.C Nyanga East
Steven Campbell 16 Trombone Mkhonto Nyanga East
Godfrey Dyantyi 34 Bass Guitar Mawumawu Nyanga East
Mzwakhe Mcekiso 35 Piano Mawumawu Nyanga East
Masixole Mkhonto 16 Drums N.Y 53 Guguletu

SOUTH PENINSULA HIGH
The band started in 2002 on small scale with drums, bass, keyboard and clarinet. The group of students performing in the Artscape programme are a mixed bag - some of them used to perform with the SP Alumni Band and others have become a regular part of the SP Alumni Band. The instrumentalists form a separate group known as the SP Jazz Collective as well as being part of the SP Jazz Orchestra.

Band Members
Jason Powell 17 Trumpet Marina Da Gama
Lloyd Stuurman 17 Piano Grassy Park
Marlon Witbooi 17 Drums Grassy Park
Giovanni Amansure 16 Percussion Heathfield
Quinton Appollis 15 Guitar Lavender Hill
Byron Linevere 21 Bass Lavender Hill
Jamie Abrahams 19 Vocals Diep River
Ashleigh Abrahams 15 Vocals Diep River
Candice Thornton 17 Vocals Athlone

ESP FUSION is based in Stellenbosch. The instrumental band, as is, has been together almost 3 years. (Vocalist, Lizanne, joined them last year.)’We’d like to think of our music as being rooted in jazz, reflecting the various Cape Ghoema, funk and Latin styles that has taught and influenced us.’ As individuals, being full and part-time musicians coming from different backgrounds (classical, gospel and field band etc), they create a versatile platform to work with. Their musical director, Ramon Alexander (piano), composes most of the original material. ESP Fusion has performed with artists like Robbie Jansen and Alvin Dyers. They do different types of gigs ranging from functions to stage performances and bigger productions by ESP (Eccentric Sound Productions) which is band member, Heiné’s business.

Band Members
Ramon Alexander 28 Piano Stellenbosch
Neville Arnolds 30 Drums Stellenbosch
Heiné Jack 31 Bass Guitar Stellenbosch
Philip Vermeulen 31Guitar Stellenbosch
Lizanne October 23 Vocals Stellenbosch
Lou-Ann Stone 23 Alto Saxophone Cape Town

FUSION – SETTLERS HIGH is a band made up of learners from The Settlers High School in Bellville. They have been playing together since they were juniors at the school and have developed into a tight band that enjoys playing all types of music. They are quality at ease playing background music as they are performing on centre stage. They are in great demand and have played at many school and community functions. Most of the members take music as a subject and read music as well as play by ear. They pick the repertoire and arrange the music themselves and are managed by their music teacher Mrs Carol Howell.

Band Members
Levi Alexander 16 Saxophone Bellville South
Matthew Meas 15 Saxophone/ Piano Kuilsriver
Margot De Bruyn 17 Piano/Vocalist Bellville South
Dean Fortune 17 Drums Stellenridge
Jody Abel 16 Bass guitar Goodwood
Tylin van der Ross 14 Percussion
Parow

Tickets cost R30 and are available from Computicket http://www.computicket.com/ and Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695.

Posted in: Artscape Youth Jazz Festival