In her new solo exhibition titled The purple shall govern, Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art Mary Sibande draws inspiration from a specific incident in South Africa’s history where, in the late 1980s, people were marching for equality in Cape Town. During the march, the police sprayed everyone with a water cannon laced with purple dye to enable them to identify and arrest anti-apartheid protestors. This act motivated Mary’s interest in the roles that colour played in the history of this country. Colour remains a predominant factor in our social interactions and it continues to play a dominant role in our percept ions of one another as South Africans. In Sibande’s view it is like a monster that we are all too familiar with. On a personal level, this new work comes full circle as Mary connects it back to her very first exhibition, where she displayed a figure – that represented her – in purple attire.

The purple shall govern presents the next chapter, in which Sibande speaks of her own aspirations, desires, fears and anxieties of being a woman. The concept of rebirth, where she refers to the idea of transitioning from the person you were before into a new or different idea of yourself – death and rebirth – is extensively explored.

For the first time, the photographs of anti-apartheid photographers, Benny Gool, Zubeida Vallie and Adil Bradlow, who, as young photographers and friends, were to be found with their cameras documenting apartheid South Africa, is brought together in a group exhibition entitled Martyrs, Saints and Sellouts; which attempts to facilitate creative thinking between the lines of emancipation, liberty and freedom. Their impressive collections show us now, some nineteen years after the first democratic elections in South Africa, a vivid narrative of violence, loss and injuries, the reverberations of which are subdued in the rhetoric of the post-apartheid landscape. These images, many of them from 35mm film negatives, hint of a time that has not yet passed. What they do now is simple: they offer the viewer the opportunity to think about key questions in South Africa, including those of archives, history, freedom and repair.

Based on selections from the Standard Bank Corporate Art Collection, The Art of Banking: celebrating through collections provides a journey through South Africa’s history, using art works as points of departure, or triggers, for telling a story about various eras, episodes, circumstances and events. Because the show celebrates Standard Bank’s 150th birthday, this tracing of history through art begins in 1862, when Standard Bank first opened its doors in Port Elizabeth. The story is told chronologically, narrated decade by decade. It covers numerous themes, such as the discovery of gold on the Highveld in 1886, the Second Anglo-Boer War of the 1890s, and the establishment of Sophiatown in 1897. Other themes include the establishment of Afrikaans as an official language in the 1930s, the student uprising of 1976, and forced removals. The show ends with an exploration of issues of the new millennium, such as consumerism, the global economic crisis and xenophobia. The exhibition is curated by Barbara Freemantle andfeatures a host of renowned South African artists, all of whom are major contributors to the story of art in this country. These include John Mohl, Walter Battiss, Johannes Phokela, Durant Sihlali, Alexis Preller, Trevor Makhoba, David Goldblatt, Penny Siopis and Wim Botha.

Two exhibitions showcase the work of Brent Meistre - a photographer / filmmaker who works across varying media including sound and stop-frame animation. Winner of multiple awards and the only South African video artist to have exhibited at the Bamako Photo Biennale in Mali in 2011, the central notion of movement, journey, and migration within a global and ‘African’ context is evident throughout Meistre’s varying bodies of photographic and film work, which consider how these traces and remnants continue to constitute and speak to the lived experience of people on the continent.Sojourn is a photographic exhibition of selected landscape images taken over a period of six years across Southern Africa. Across My Father’s Fault is a site-specific stop frame animation install ation, shot on location in the Cradle of Humankind and installed in the cavernous space beneath the Monument’s Fountain Foyer.

Wilma Cruise’s exhibition Will you, won’t you, join the dance? is developed as an extension of the ideas latent in Cruise’s previous body Cocks Asses and I: Can’t hear. This new solo exhibition will premiere some new works together with selected works from her current Alice Diaries exhibition.

An exhibition entitled Women, Our Treasure!, celebrates the strength of South African women and the manner in which they have held family structures together. Through their artworks, visual artists from the Province of the Eastern Cape in collaboration with their counterparts from the craft sector; attempt to raise questions and to join artists across the country in an artistic expression of the current national dialogue that seeks to raise awareness about gender identity and about the scourge of abuse against women and children.

The Province of the Eastern Cape remains a forerunner in the South African Craft Sector. Many a discerning collector is given a wide variety of craft to choose from. This year, the Department for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture breaks away from the longstanding craft fair located within a single tent in favour of a select number of stalls located around the Village Green.

The Arena programme will feature a showcase of work drawn from some of the more successful artists who will be exhibiting on this year’s Fringe programme.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.

After a series of countrywide auditions due to take place in July, the fifth annual ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships will culminate in a final performance, hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the University of Johannesburg, on 30 September 2013. Six finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their acting, dancing and singing abilities to a live audience and an independent panel of judges as they compete to win one of three performing arts scholarships, with a combined value of R315 000. Performed in the format of a variety show, the showcase of their talents needs to be brought together by a charismatic presenter into a seamless performance for the audience and judges to enjoy.

“MCing the Performing Arts Scholarship Awards was the best thing that has happened to me!” says Bongani Nomcweya, host of the 2012 Scholarship Awards Finals. He went on to say “MCing the competition opened another door in the Nedbank house – as a result, I also MCed the Nedbank Community Builder’s Awards Ceremony and it was also a great success – I was told I did an ‘Outstanding Job’!” His advice to those auditioning: “They must remember to be their best and to ‘ar-ticu-late’ – one of the things I kept on forgetting to do – and to the one who is going to get it, they must work to keeping the audience’s stomachs painful throughout, but most of all they should have FUN!”

Auditions for the person to fulfill this role of ‘dynamic host’ will take place around the country on the same dates as the auditions for the Scholarships themselves. There is no registration fee, and interested candidates can apply in writing, to Rahiem at rahiem@act.org.za.

Auditions will take place:

22 June: Durban, Hosted by the Stable Theatre

24 and 25 June: Cape Town, hosted by the Theatre Arts Admin Collective

27 June: Port Elizabeth, hosted by the PE Opera House

8 and 9 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts & Culture

13 July: Bloemfontein, hosted by the Mangaung Drama and Dance Group

For more information or to register for participation in the scholarships programme, please visit www.act.org.za.

In acknowledgement of the centenary of the infamous Natives Land Act of 1913, there is a national focus on land as a vessel of trade, trauma, and restitution. With this in mind, is it possible to talk about land within (as well as beyond) these frames, in terms of its atmospheres, materialities and aesthetics?

Land is both a vehicle and a litmus test for change. In discussing land, we inhabit the past and present at once – its topology registering, over millennia, tiny variations in impact and atmosphere. Land is slow, absorptive and seemingly permanent; but it is also fast, exchanged like currency and affecting immediate change in the balance of power at all levels.

In this way, any meaningful discussion of land in terms of its materiality includes trace elements of this socio-political history, just as any analysis of territory will find its origin in the natural borders implied by local topography. LAND sets out to facilitate an investigation of these interacting boundaries and the ways in which they exist associatively and psychologically within a South African, as well as a transnational framework.

As such, the approach of this event is twofold. Firstly, to further uncoil both modern and ancestral politics around land ownership, division and redistribution, considering links to territory, race, agency, class and power. Secondly, to provide an opportunity for conversation around land with broadly associative, physical or otherwise aesthetic concerns. LAND seeks to designate a space in which to simultaneously explore the human elements of land – of politics, habitation and anthropology – as well as its organic, mineral and material aspects.

In line with these thoughts, and looking to draw applicants from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and approaches, GIPCA invites proposals in two categories:

Proposals for papers: 10-15 minute ‘thought papers’ or 30 minute addresses which interrogate aforementioned ideas around land.

Proposals for installations, performances, exhibitions, interventions and workshops within similar themes. In this category, applications for works which actively engage with space within the city, site-specific proposals and works which are in some way inclusive or participatory, will be prioritised. Both new and existing work will be considered. While GIPCA will endeavour to fund as many aspects of projects as possible, applicants are encouraged to also find other funding partners.

Applications should be submitted via email to fin-gipca@uct.ac.za with the subject line ‘LAND APPLICATION’. A single PDF file, no larger than 3MB, containing the following should be submitted:

name, email address, landline and mobile numbers

concept document or abstract of no more than 400 words

no more than 4 images (if relevant)

a detailed budget of all expenses (including accommodation and transport if relevant)

technical requirements (if relevant)

an abridged one-page CV, highlighting previous experience in creating such work

The application deadline is Wednesday 31 July 2013.  For more information, please contact the GIPCA office on +27 (0) 21 480 7156 or fin-gipca@uct.ac.za.

With a significant career in South African jazz that has spanned over 40 years, it would be difficult to find a more accomplished and versatile jazz musician than trombonist Jonas Gwangwa. He first gained popularity playing with South Africa’s iconic group, The Jazz Epistles and after exile in the US he began to gain recognition, performing in venues such as Carnegie Hall alongside the likes of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Letta Mbulu. He composed the scores of films like Cry Freedom and appeared at the 60th Annual Academy Awards. Believing that “politics and culture cannot be separated,” Gwangwa’s total commitment to the struggle to end apartheid is intrinsic to his music. He headlines the Afro-Jazz portion of the programme with Percy Mbonani (sax), Mzamo Bhengu (trumpet), Sabelo Mtshali (keyboard), Kenny Mathaba (guitar), Bongani Ncube (bass), Godfrey Mngcina (drums), Keitu Gwangwa (vocal), Thobekile Masinga (vocal), and Nicolette Shange (vocal).

Gloria Bosman – a former Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner – is a household name in South Africa, acclaimed for her sonorous voice and authentic stage presence. After she was awarded a scholarship to study opera at Pretoria Technikon, she toured France with Jonas Gwangwa and subsequently sang for both presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Her debut album Tranquilitywon the SAMA “Best Newcomer” award and she has sung with the cream of South African musicians for over a decade. Bosman performs in Grahamstown supported by Ezra Erasmus (keyboards), Themba Peebles Mambane (piano), Sakhile Thembalethu Nkosi (bass) and Julius Bernice Boikano (drums).

The backbone of the Jazz repertoire is a collection of standards – tunes all jazz musicians know well. So it is with the South African jazz repertoire; we share an intimate connection with a certain set of songs that have defined our musical identity. Led by Umlazi trumpeter Brian Thusi – who cut his teeth in the African Jazz Pioneers – this band brings together a drummer from the Eastern Cape(Ayanda Sikade), pianist and bass from the Western Cape (Kyle Shepherd and Wesley Rustin), and a saxophonist from Australia who grew up in 1970s Cape Town (Mark Ginsberg), to share their personal inflections on South African classics we all know and love.

As one of South Africa’s natural bebop exponents, Barney Rachabane has forged an impressive solo career after cementing his international reputation with Paul Simon’s Graceland project in the 1980s. His unique style combines bebop and blues, threaded through always with the inflections of the kwela of his Soweto youth. He brings together a sextet which is particularly special – including his daughter, Octavia, on vocals and grandson, Oscar, on tenor sax. They are joined by Mohau Kekana (piano), Solly Mokolobate (bass), and Bacco Xaba (drums).

Guitarist Menyatso Mathole’s performance credits are a history of South African jazz – collaborations with Zakes Nkosi, Dick Khoza, Winston Mankunku, Dudu Pukwana, Bheki Mseleku, Miriam Makeba, Basil Manenburg Coetzee and many others. He was a co-founder – with Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu – of the seminal Afro-Jazz band Sakhile that faced the difficulties of the apartheid years and its limited air-play for black Africans and reinforced the music of South Africa’s exiled artists. Mathole has continued this vision in his solo career, teaching in community colleges and keeping the tradition alive, especially in far-flung places like Thaba Nchu and the North West. He brings this history to life in Grahamstown, with Jimmy Mngwandi (bass) and Ayanda Sikade (drums).

This year will also see the establishment of the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College, which will end each night with a great jazz show and a late night jazz jam session or blues gig – a place where audiences can catch musicians letting off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, featuring the likes of Nduduzo Makhathini, saxophonist Dan Shout, Lee Thomson, Imbaula, and the Rick van Heerden Quartet.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

For more information check www.standardbankarts.co.za or www.youthjazz.co.za

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is presented with support funding from:

Institut Français, the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française
Paul Bothner Music
ProHelvetia
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Royal Norwegian Embassy
SAMRO
Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund
Jamey Aebersold Jazz

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.

Vocalist/guitarist Vusi Mahlasela has been affectionately dubbed “The Voice” of South Africa in tribute to his passionately soaring performances. With such a rich and vibrant sound this “African folk” singer-songwriter has inspired many with his themes of freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation. Mahlasela’s track-record boasts performances at esteemed events such as at Nelson Mandela’s Presidential inauguration, the FIFA World Cup Kick Off concert, and Mandela’s 90th Birthday 46664 celebration in Hyde Park, London, to name but a few. In 2012, the South African Music (SAMA) Awards fittingly honoured him with a lifetime achievement award for music. He is supported by Oupa Makhubela (guitar/vocal), Elwyn Masango (bass), and Johnny Motuba (drums).

Since their inception in 2011, MiCasa has taken South African audiences by storm. A groovy mix of urban house and jazz influenced the band’s first album, Micasa Music, which went gold and won several South Africa Music Awards in 2012, as well as nominations for “Best Dance Album”, “Album of the Year”, “Group of the Year”, “Newcomer of the Year”, and “Record Of The Year”! This year even saw them perform at the inauguration celebrations of Barack Obama. Consisting of three core members, this young group hails from Johannesburg and Port Alfred; and with such a prolific career in such a short space of time, keep your eyes and ears fixed on this fire-starting trio. Grahamstown audiences will see J’Something (vocal), Mo-T (trumpet), Dr Duda (producer & keyboard) on stag e with Carlo Jooste (bass), Lebo Mokhela (percussion), and Mike Mwale (vocal).

The Soweto String Quartet is undeniably one of South Africa’s most-loved music groups and their sound is always fresh, vibrant and trendy, never failing to deliver an enchanting performance. With a plethora of accolades and performance highlights the group is a force on the South African music scene. The four members of the Soweto String Quartet are a political statement in themselves – four African classical musicians from a South African township, backed by a jazz rhythm section. It’s no wonder they are reportedly Nelson Mandela’s favourite music group!

Bruut! is a funky group comprised of four young, hip Dutch players: Maarten Hogenhuis (sax), Folkert Oosterbeeck (Hammond organ), Thomas Rolff (bass), and Felix Schlarmann (drums). Their progressive playing stretches the boundaries of traditional approaches to music, combining a mix of funk, blues, dance and contemporary jazz to create a uniquely-titled ‘super-jazz’. Never lacking in musical ingenuity they constantly evolve to find the niche of every new performance.

Saxophonist Rus Nerwich set out to have a project that is simple, fun and musically rich; and it has come to fruition inThe Collective Imagination – Under the Poetree.Incorporating elements of the different styles he enjoys in a contemporary musical context, he wrote more lyrically-orientated songs – things he’d like to say more directly to the audience – with the intent and style of Guru Jazzmataz, The Roots or Buckshot Lafonque with an African spin. Sparked by the musical synergy betwe en him and modern rap, Nerwich is backed by a solid band of experienced jazzers; including the likes of Dave Ledbetter (guitar), Andrew Lilley (piano), Wesley Rustin(bass), and Kevin Gibson (drums).

Slide guitar, harmonica, African blues guitar and soul vocals all feature in the vibrant sound of Robin Auld. An award-winning artist with an international CV spanning twenty albums, he has performed and recorded around the world. Currently based in the UK, his music has evolved from the pop sound of the early recordings that made him famous to the contemporary mix of roots influences that make up his sound today. Over the years many of Southern Africa’s top musicians have appeared on his albums, including the likes of Anton Fig, Louis Mhlanga and Johnny Clegg. He performs in Grahamstown as a trio, with Schalk Joubert (bass) and Kevin Gibson (drums).

Joubert (bass) and Gibson (drums) extend their collaborations to form a blues trio with guitarist Albert Frost. Frost is an all-round master guitarist with a prolific career over 20 years and, with a natural onstage charisma, he has performed on nearly every major stage in South Africa. Although continually on a quest to re-invent himself, he returns often to his first love – the blues. Voted as Best Blues Guitarist in South Africa by Stage Magazine, he has performed internationally alongside the likes of The Rolling Stones and REM.

This year will also see the establishment of the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College, which will end each night with a great jazz show and a late night jazz jam session or blues gig – a place where audiences can catch musicians letting off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, featuring the likes of Nduduzo Makhathini, saxophonist Dan Shout, Lee Thomson, Imbaula, and the Rick van Heerden Quartet.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

For more information check www.standardbankarts.co.za or www.youthjazz.co.za

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is presented with support funding from:

Institut Français, the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française
Paul Bothner Music
ProHelvetia
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Royal Norwegian Embassy
SAMRO
Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund
Jamey Aebersold Jazz

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.

Trombonist Steve Turre of the Juilliard School of Music, New York, has played and recorded with many artists around the world. These include Dexter Gordon, McCoy Tyner, Roland Kirk, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ray Charles, Max Roach, Horace Silver, Carlos Santana, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, the Mingus Big Band, JJ Johnson and hundreds of others, but his most iconic performances were probably with Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra where he shot to prominence on both trombone and shells. He has won the Down Beat Readers’ poll five times as Best Trombonist and has enthralled audiences with his performances on different sized conch shells. Turre is an innovative musician and composer who keeps one foot in the past and one in the future. He adds zest to the Awesome Big Band, and his solo show is supported by a strong line-up compromising Marcus Wyatt (Trumpet), Bokani Dyer (piano), Hein van de Geyn (bass) and Kevin Gibson (drums).

One of the sell-out trademarks of the Jazz Festival in Grahamstown is the Awesome Big Band – a unique selection of top international jazz musicians in a standard Big Band format. A band of this nature is also known as a Jazz Orchestra for the dynamic and harmonic depth and contrast that arrangers can produce from 17 instruments, reminiscent of Classical orchestras but with the added power and energy that jazz exudes. This year’s band is conducted by Canadian trumpeter Bruce Cassidy, renowned for his quirky, powerful arrangements.

Regular audiences at the National Arts Festival will recognise Frank Sinatra & Friends as a sequel to the series of earlier successes that have been conceptualised and conducted by maestro, Richard Cock. In 2011, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Friends sold out within days of opening bookings. In 2012, Louis Armstrong & Friends (2012) was presented in a larger venue and once again, the sold out show meant that a number of music enthusiasts had to be turned away. In 2013, Frank Sinatra & Friends will have two perfor mances. In this concert, Nic Nicolaidis and Zwai Bala accompanied by the notable KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra will serenade audiences with melodies such as Fly me to the moon, I’ve got you under my skin, Fascinating Rhythm, Unforgettable and of course the singularly popular Sinatra signature song, My way.

AJ Brown is a young singer and saxophonist from Britain who is rapidly gaining a popular reputation around Britain. He has performed at the Wigan International Jazz Festival and Birdland Club in New York amongst others and was guest vocalist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in Britain. He has quickly mastered the tunes of the great crooners like Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé and Nat King Cole and has begun producing his own compositions, which are eagerly received. He performs in Grahamstown with Kingsley Buitendag (piano), Gorm Helfjord (guitar), Romy Brauteseth (bass), and Kevin Gibson (drums).

Justin Binek is the Head of Vocal Jazz Studies at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and maintains an active jazz and classical performing schedule as a singer, pianist, and clinician/adjudicator. He is a prolific arranger and composer and performs in Europe and the US. Paulien van Schaik studied voice at the jazz department of the Conservatory of Utrecht and Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has performed across Europe and in Japan and China. With their tasteful backing band, comprising Jason Reolon (piano), Ola Bengtsson (guitar), Shaun Johannes(bass), and Lloyd Martin (drums); their Vocal Celebration should prove heavenly!

Van Schaik also presents a show with fellow Dutch performer Hein Van de Geyn. Both musicians are on top of their game – masters of their instruments in a context so subtle the audience is spellbound. The critics agreed: “Hein and Paulien have stripped the music of all its frills. A courageous couple, for there is nothing to disguise them. Their interaction is of an ethereal beauty. This must be how angels sing.” Their second recording won an Edison Prize (Dutch Grammy Award). Cape Town percussionist Ronan Skillen joins them as guest.

This year will also see the establishment of the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College, which will end each night with a great jazz show and a late night jazz jam session or blues gig – a place where audiences can catch musicians letting off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, featuring the likes of Nduduzo Makhathini, saxophonist Dan Shout, Lee Thomson, Imbaula, and the Rick van Heerden Quartet.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

For more information check www.standardbankarts.co.za or www.youthjazz.co.za

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is presented with support funding from:

Institut Français, the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française
Paul Bothner Music
ProHelvetia
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Royal Norwegian Embassy
SAMRO
Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund
Jamey Aebersold Jazz

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.

Mainstream performances are headlined by special guest from the Juilliard School of Music in New York, renowned trombonist and shells specialist Steve Turre. He adds zest to the Awesome Big Band, and his solo show is supported by a strong line-up compromising Marcus Wyatt (Trumpet), Bokani Dyer (piano), Hein van de Geyn (bass) and Kevin Gibson (drums).

One of the sell-out trademarks of the Jazz Festival in Grahamstown is the Awesome Big Band – a unique selection of top international jazz musicians in a standard Big Band format. This year’s band is conducted by Canadian trumpeter Bruce Cassidy, renowned for his quirky, powerful arrangements. Other Mainstream performances include those by Dutch performers Paulien van Schaik (voice) andHein Van de Geyn (double bass) – masters of their instruments in a context so subtle the audience is spellbound; AJ Brown – a young singer and saxophonist from Britain; a Vocal Celebration byJustin Binek (Head of Vocal Jazz Studies at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia) and Paulien van Schaik and a Frank Sinatra Tribute.

African influence dominates the Blues / Funk / World Music category, with South African icon Vusi Mahlasela, commonly referred to as ”The Voice” of South Africa in tribute to his passionately soaring performances.  The Soweto String Quartet - fondly known as Nelson Mandela’s favourite group – makes its first appearance on the Grahamstown Jazz stages, as do established blues artistsRobin Auldand Albert Frost and young sensations MiCasa. Saxophonist Rus Nerwich’s project is simple, fun and musically rich, incorporating elements of the different styles he enjoys in a contemporary musical context with the intent and style of Guru Jazzmat az, The Roots or Buckshot Lafonque with an African spin. He is backed by a solid band of experienced jazzers, sparked by the musical synergy between him and modern rap. Comprised of four young, hip Dutch players, Bruut! combines a mix of funk, blues, dance and contemporary jazz to create a uniquely-titled ‘super-jazz’.

With a significant career in South African jazz that has spanned over 40 years, it would be difficult to find a more accomplished and versatile jazz musician than trombonist Jonas Gwangwa, who headlines the Afro-Jazz portion of the programme. Gloria Bosman - a former Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner – is a household name in South Africa, acclaimed for her sonorous voice and authentic stage presence. As one of South Africa’s natural bebop exponents, Barney Rachabane has forged an impressive solo career after cementing his international reputation with Paul Simon’s Graceland project in the 1980s and leads a special performance featuring his daughter, Octavia, on vocals and grandson, Oscar, on tenor sax. Guitarist Menyatso Mathole’s performance credits are a history of South African jazz, and he presents this history on stage; while Umlazi trumpeter Brian Thusi leads a performance of South African jazz standards – a set of songs that have defined our musical identity.

Bassist Shane Cooper, Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2013, is an eclectic young musician who has rapidly emerged in the jazz world as first-call bassist for serious jazz. For his first Young Artist performance he draws on collaborations that emerged out of the Jazz Werkstatt in Bern, Switzerland – a fascinating festival run by young Swiss musicians who bring together like-minded musicians from around the world. Cooper’s second Young Artist performance features his own original music in a group of some of his favourite South African musicians.

An interesting collaboration of musicians – Bruce Cassidy, Mark Ginsburg and David Ledbetter – whose relationships span 3 continents and 3 decades come together under the banner Global Express.Pianist Malcolm Braff exhibits such heightened musical sensitivity that he has been known to bring hardened jazz musicians to tears. French pianist Laurent Coq is a performer, composer and musical activist who has notched up a formidable list of recordings and collaborations and joins the Modern Jazz line-up in Grahamstown as part of an extensive African tour. Born in the US to Italian emigrants and now Professor of Jazz at UCT, woodwind specialist Mike Rossi’s music reflects American, South African and Italian influences and experiences. Swiss trombonist Andreas Tschopp joins three of the most exciting young players in South Africa in Young Guns.

Carlo Mombelli and Jeroen van Vliet are two unusual composers on a sound design journey; while Cape saxophonist Rus Nerwich introduces eclectic sounds and exotic colours, finding new life for instruments that have ‘predictable’ tones; and the tight-knit Svein Olav Herstad Piano Trio produces a classic sound with modern ideas.

Drummers Kesivan Naidoo and Håkon Mjåset Johansen played together at a late-night jam session years ago, and that powerful energy is the source for a collaboration that beggars description. Swiss pianist Malcolm Braff plays with a rhythmic complexity – influenced by a childhood in Brazil and Senegal – that adds further layers to those of the drummers and Carlo Mombelli, bassist and composer extraordinaire with collaborative credits as wide-ranging as Lee Konitz, Miriam Makeba and Simphiwe Dana, fits in beautifully. With the lyrical sax of Norwegian Atle Nymo on top, audiences can expect a mind-blowingly beautiful performance.

The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band presents a selection of the top young jazz musicians in the country between the ages of 19 and 25 years, this year under the musical direction of South African jazz legend, trumpeter Marcus Wyatt. The Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band consists of the top young jazz musicians in the country up to the age of 18 years, performs material worked on over the five days of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival, under the musical direction of Ian Darrington, Director of the Wigan International Jazz Festival. A celebration of school and university jazz choirs and vocal soloists from around the country will be directed by top professional vocalists Paulien van Schaik and Justin Binek, with a selection of school/youth ban ds completing the mix.

This year will also see the establishment of the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College, which will end each night with a great jazz show and a late night jazz jam session or blues gig – a place where audiences can catch musicians letting off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, featuring the likes of Nduduzo Makhathini, saxophonist Dan Shout, Lee Thomson, Imbaula, and the Rick van Heerden Quartet.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

For more information check www.standardbankarts.co.za or www.youthjazz.co.za

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is presented with support funding from:

Institut Français, the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française
Paul Bothner Music
ProHelvetia
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Royal Norwegian Embassy
SAMRO
Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund
Jamey Aebersold Jazz

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.

As always, the backbone of the main programme is comprised of the work of the Standard Bank Young Artists.  The first ever Young Artist for Performance Art, Anthea Moys, presents a series of contests entitled Anthea Moys vs the City of Grahamstown. Young Artist for Dance Fana Tshabalala’s engagement with cleansing ceremonies is explored in his new work titled Indumba. Young Artists for Theatre (Prince Lamla) and Visual Arts (Mary Sibande), use historical incidents as the points of departure for their offerings – Asinamali and The purple shall govern, respectively; with SBYA for Music Runette Botha paying tribute to three centuries of composition in her recital, and SBYA for Jazz Shane Cooper pushing the envelope with his compositions and collaborations.

The Dance programme will feature the Johannesburg Youth Ballet (JYB)’s Hansel and Gretel; Gregory Maqoma’s embodiment of the traditional, historic and heroic, Exit/Exist; Jazzart Dance Theatre’s translation of Biko’s Quest – For a True Humanity from one art form (photography) to another (dance and performance), and a showcase of Rhythms of the Eastern Cape. Nicola Elliott interrogates the traditional notion of dance in Run!, presented on the Arena

The Performance Art programme will feature two of Swiss artist/performer Yann Marussich’s works: Bleu Remix and Bain Brisé; Gavin Krastin’s eccentric creativity in Rough Musick; and a collaboration with stellar local musicians in an experimental project, Untitled #310, co-ordinated by international artist Francisco López.

Mbongeni Ngema also returns to the Festival’s Main stage this year with the South African premiere of The Zulu, and Hearts and Eyes Theatre Collective will present My Name is Rachel Corrie,based on the true story of the protagonist’s death. Cry Havoc is an unnerving East-West love story set in a small apartment in Cairo, and marks the UJ Theatre’s professional debut on the National Arts Festival’s Main stage. Canadian playwright Morris Panych’s award-winning black comedy Vigil promises to leave an impression on audiences; while SA theatre legend Tim Plewman of Defending the Caveman fame, stars in The Last Moustache - an outrageous one-man satire with a serious bite; reminding us that what we are sold as truth is often far from it.

The political is a strong theme, with satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys returning to the Festival with Adapt or Fly and An Audience with Pieter-Dirk EISH. The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) presents Madonna of Excelsior, adapted from the novel by Zakes Mda set in 1971, when nineteen citizens of Excelsior in South Africa’s white-ruled Free State were charged with breaking apartheid’s Immorality Act, and a showcase of work produced under the umbrella of The Market Theatre features Woza Albert (directed by Standard Bank Young Artist Prince Lamla), Cadre (Omphilo Molusi), The Island (directed by John Kani), The Line (directed by Gina Shmukler). 

The Music programme will see the return of regular crowd favourites such as the Gala and Symphony Concerts, Conduct Unbecoming, KZN Ensembles and the Chanticleer Singers. Also to look forward to: a project comprising compositions by contemporary composers entitled Hidden Treasures; recitals by the internationally award-winning Ben Schoeman and Anzél Gerber; Ed Jordan and Nicholas Nicolaidis in the children’s concert Beautiful Creatures; Frank Sinatra & Friends; the vibrant community-basedJazz at Dakawa, and South African National Youth Orchestra.

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into their programme. The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festivaltakes place alongside a diverse programme that features Mainstream, Blues / Funk / World Music, Afro-Jazz, Modern Jazz and Youth; with highlights such as Jonas Gwangwa, Vusi Mahlasela, former SBYA Gloria Bosman, Steve Turre from the Juilliard School of Music, the Soweto String Quartet and new sensations MiCasa, and late night jazz jam session or blues gigs at the new Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College.

This year’s film programme features an eclectic mix of seminars and local and international films, considering topics such as The Marquis De Sade and His Contribution To The South African Struggle For Liberty, Mytho Therapy: The Magus, The Master & The Anti-Psychiatrist, Documents And Soundtracks for the End Of Time, Matinee Screenings at The Bioscope. Films to flag Include Underground: The Julian Assange Story, Bail Out: The Age Of Greed, Meat, The Marat/Sade, The Magus, Beware Of Mr Baker, The War Around Us, and The Naked Prey.

The photographs of anti-apartheid photographers, Benny Gool, Zubeida Vallie and Adil Bradlow, are brought together in a group exhibition entitled Martyrs, Saints and Sellouts; while Women, Our Treasure!, celebrates the strength of South African women and the manner in which they have held family structures together. Based on selections from the Standard Bank Corporate Art Collection, The Art of Banking: celebrating through collections provides different a journey through South Africa’s history, using art works as points of departure, or triggers, for telling a story about various eras, episodes, circumstances and events. Two exhibitions showcase the work of photographer / filmmaker Brent Meistre, and an exhibition of Wilma Cruise’s work is entitled Will you, Won’t you, join the dance?  

This year’s Festival will see a focus on the work of Mike van Graan, in a pilot project that will attempt to put the spotlight on a Festival Playwright. There will also be a showcase of work produced by the PE Opera House, as well as the Market Theatre showcase. Student Theatre will feature seventeen student theatre productions sponsored by the South African Post Office.  

The Arena programme continues to showcase the work of artists recognised through the Standard Bank Ovation Awards and International Fringe Juries as being on the cutting edge; and the open-access Fringe always generates a plethora of audience opportunities.

This year’s Think Fest programme, which brings together thought leaders, trendsetters and provocateurs, is sponsored by the Embassy of Netherlands and City Press will be the media partner.

The Film Festival is sponsored by the National Film and Video Foundation.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.