With Women’s Month on the horizon, female artists are set to dominate this year’s first annual Imbokodo Jazz Festival, which will take place against the backdrop of breath-taking harbour views at the N-Shed Cruise Terminal facility in the Port of Durban on Saturday, 12 August 2017. The event is hosted by community based non-profit organisation, iTheku Regional Jazz Association (iTReJA), an affiliate of the South African Jazz Appreciators Association (SAJAA).
SAJAA Chairman Mncedi Zulu said the Imbokodo Jazz Festival aims to celebrate outstanding females in the local jazz scene.
“We’re showcasing a stellar line-up of established and emerging female jazz artists, but also striving to encourage youth participation in jazz activities, in order to offer them an alternative outlet for creative expression. Ultimately events like this contribute towards ensuring the sustainable development of jazz in the region and beyond,” he said.
Zulu said the previous Imbokodo Jazz Session is being repositioned as the Imbokodo Jazz Festival and will be developed over time to entrench itself as Durban’s unique women-only jazz showcase.
“We’re working to ensure that women will run and participate in Imbokodo, from organising to production to artists. Imbokodo Jazz Festival aims to join the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival as the crème de la crème of South African Jazz Festivals,’’ said Zulu.
The Imbokodo Jazz Festival is curating an impressive line-up set to please Durban’s discerning jazz loving public. Artists confirmed thus far include crowd favourite Feya Faku Quartet featuring the award-winning bassist/vocalist Chantal Willie-Petersen, emerging powerhouse vocalist Lindiwe Maxolo, Durban-born jazz singer, songwriter and voice over artist Spha Mdlalose, and soulful singer Xolisa Dlamini. More artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
ITReJA members are affiliated to the South African Jazz Appreciators Association (SAJAA), which represents jazz appreciation associations and societies across the country that have become an integral feature of South Africa’s jazz culture and heritage.
The Imbokodo Jazz Festival is anticipated to become a major highlight in the KwaZulu-Natal events’ calendar and promises to celebrate this much-loved musical genre while entertaining jazz lovers.
Tickets to the festival are R300 each and the event takes place at N-Shed in the Port of Durban on Saturday, 12 August 2017 from 1pm to 1am.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.imbokodojazzfestival.co.za