Stupendous is the only word to describe this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. Not only will Wynton Marsalis (pictured), the biggest name in jazz today, be performing with his own group, but the list of other names is also awesome and touches on not only swing and bebop, but contemporary jazz, Latin jazz and African jazz.
There is Dee Dee Bridgewater, who just won a Grammy for her brilliant CD To Billie with Love, a tribute to Billie Holiday. Her backing group includes her regular pianist Edsel Gomez, saxman George Handy, whose impressive CV includes stints with Roy Haynes, Art Blakey and Mingus Dynasty, while drummer Jaz Sawyer’s includes George Benson, Santana and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
McCoy Tyner hardly needs any introduction to the jazz world because of his long association with John Coltrane, his own groups as well as solo piano concerts. His playing is influenced by African and Asian elements.
He will feature the respected saxman Garry Bartz, who made his debut in 1964 with Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln. Since then he has worked with groups led by Blakey, Blue Mitchell and Miles Davis.
For those into fusion-cum- contemporary sounds, there is pianist Jeff Lorber. Classically trained he played in r&b and rock bands before going to The Berklee School of Music. In 1979 he formed a quartet that featured a saxophonist named Kenny Gorelick, who became famous as Kenny G. He is a respected producer, composer and pianist.
His band will include bassist Jimmy Haslip from Yellowjackets and sax player Eric Marienthal, who is a leader in his own right and who also played and recorded with Chick Corea.
Bassist Gerald Veasley gave up studying law to be a musician; he listened to jazz bass players and even took up classical and flamenco guitar to refine his technique. He paid his dues with Special EFX and Joe Zawinul. He’s been leading his own groups since the mid 1990s.
Exotic Latin rhythms will be on offer by the incendiary Tania Maria and her band. Her music is Brazil- ian-based with jazz, funk, soul and pop. She once told me: “My music is like life, which has a little bit of everything.”
Wynton is bringing his regular small group with him, which comprises saxophonist Walter Blanding, bassist Carlos Henriques and drummer Ali Jackson. His regular pianist, Dan Nimmer, is staying behind to see the birth of his first baby. His place is being taken by Jonathan Batiste of New Orleans, who is making waves in the Big Apple.
Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI) was created in Brussels, Belgium, in 1945 with the mission to “enable young people to develop through music across all boundaries”. This Youth Big Band (the first of its kind) comprises 18 musicians from around the world.
HGM Jazz Messengers come from Croatia. They are all members of the HGM Jazzorkestra Zagreb who have worked with such names as Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer and Toshiko Akiyoshi. The septet play in the tradition of Blakey and The Jazz Messengers.
Sama-winner, vocalist Tutu Puoane, will be backed by the Brussels Jazz Orchestra.
South Africa is represented by Hugh Masekela, The African Jazz Pioneers, Standard Bank’s 2011 Young Jazz Artist award-winner Bokani Dyer, the National Youth Jazz Band and Victor Ntoni, plus such fringe artists as Sibongile Khumalo, Simphiwe Dana and Mango Groove ,while from other parts of Africa comes Bonga from Angola and Nigerian saxman Olufemi.
Filling the R&B and soul slots are Frank McComb and Alexander O’Neal.
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz takes place in Newtown August 25 and 26, with Wynton Marsalis in concert at Emperors Palace on August 25. Book at Computicket.