ARTSCAPE YOUTH JAZZ FESTIVAL 2012 - SATURDAY 2 JUNE

This year, Artscape’s Youth Jazz Festival 2012 celebrates its 10th year with seven soloists who auditioned to perform for this momentous occasion. Directed and conducted by the legendary jazz trumpeter, educator and performing artist Ian Smith, Kevin Gibson(Drums), Andrew Ford (Piano) and Wesley Rustin (Double Bass) form a jazz ensemble to accompany the soloists.  The festival is on Saturday 2 June in the Artscape Theatre from 19h30 until 22h00.

All the soloists come from the Western Cape and include: Adele Wyngaard(24)  Vocalist from Kraaifontein, Angelo Panizza (21) on Piano from Landsdowne, Brendon Hendricks (22) Bass Guitar from Delft, Lindelo Mangesi (20) Tenor Sax from Gugulethu, Marcé Underwood (23)Vocalist, Little Mowbray, Mark Williams (23)on Guitar and Whitney Olivier (17)Vocalist  are both from Mitchells Plain.

Already making waves in the jazz arena, some of these musicians have represented South Africa at local and international jazz festivals and events such as the prestigious Big Band Festival, the National Jazz Festival in Grahamstown and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. They have also appeared on television and had interviews on radio.

Since its inception, the educational programme has changed each year to create exciting challenges for participants, developing possibilities, creativity and diversity. Last year the Delft Big Band conducted by Ian Smith accompanied six soloists.  The band and soloists were also mentored by Ian.  In previous years, youth bands received individual mentorship, with well-known jazz musicians in preparation for their performance at the festivals. Kevin Gibson and Wesley Rustin were amongst those mentors.  Artscape provides the platform to showcase the work with all the technical support.

In 2003 Artscape Audience Development and Education included the Youth Jazz Festival as an extension of their annual Classical Youth Music Festival, which began in 1971 - to give young instrumental soloists and singers the opportunity of performing with a professional orchestra.  The 2012 Youth Jazz Festival once again follows the same concept with soloists performing with highly skilled professional musicians who will also mentor the soloists.

This concert marks a decade of Artscape’s youth jazz development and education and is a project of the Audience Development and Education Department.  Says Marlene le Roux, director of the department: ‘Not only does the Jazz project develop musical skills, it gives assurance to future audiences for this genre. There is a phenomenal jazz tradition in the Western  Cape which will be kept alive through nurturing these young musicians. This project is building positive future citizens who recognise through hard work they can put their dreams into action.’

Artscape salutes Ian Smith and all the mentors who have over the past 10 years contributed to the Jazz industry and paved the way for young musicians to find a career in music. Artscape also congratulates this year’s soloists and welcomes the musicians and the public to celebrate the 2012 Festival.

Tickets for the festival cost R80. Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695,Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets and or line www.computickets.com - Seating is unreserved and is sold out every year - book now.

This project is generously supported by Distell and BusTransport by HCI.

For more information contact Tarnia van Zitters on 021 410 9803 or tarniav{@}artscape.co.za
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