Bongani Mahlagu

The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Jo’burg came and went with thousand of revellers expressing their general satisfaction with the set up and performances.

Some patrons appeared to be dazzled by the lighting that lined the walkways to different venues.

There were a few complaints though, particularly in relation to performances by some artists. Those who attended Dee Dee Bridgewater’s performance at the Bassline on Saturday had issues with her whispering way of presentation – perhaps her idea was to get a little more intimate with the audience.

“She’s (Bridgewater) singing to herself and for herself. What’s the point of us being here?” complained a friend whose sentiments were echoed by others. The previous night’s audiences at the same venue delighted in a performance by one of the finest acts this year – The Tingvall Trio.

Founded in 2003 by Swedish pianist and composer Martin Tingvall, the group’s ballad-like style of jazz got the crowd enthralled and hooked, which is probably the reason several were enthusiastic about taking home the “circus” – that’s the group’s music and performance as defined by Tingvall. Completing the trio are German drummer Jürgen Spiegel and Cuban bassist Omar Rodriguez Calvo.

The sound was superb at Tutu Puoane’s performance with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra on the Dinaledi stage. But at times it felt like her stunning voice was drowned in a sea of big band music whose brass section sounded much louder. This will perhaps explain the reason the late Miriam Makeba had reservations about brass. Puoane paid tribute to Makeba, performing a couple of songs that Makeba made famous. She asked for a moment of silence in her remembrance – a request totally ignored by the security staff on duty.

Wynton Marsalis instantly charmed when he played a vuvuzela, not like a soccer fan, but as if he was playing a musical instrument. He further endeared himself to the local audience when he presented one of South Africa’s greatest standards “Lakutshon’ iLanga” with Sibongile Khumalo on vocals. Hugh Masekela got down and worked as hard as he ever does and the crowd loved it.

The general sentiment was that such events as the Joy of Jazz should happen on a regular basis. Well publicised performances could be staged on most weekends at places like Sophiatown and the Bassline.

bonganim@thenewage.co.za