Jazzfest Berlin – Johannesburg

South Africa has long been a key contributor to the global jazz canon. Yet, in recent times a young generation of South African musicians has attracted increased international attention with a fresh and pleasantly unpretentious sound. The creative centre of this new wave is Johannesburg where, in a lively exchange between generations, the city’s own venerable jazz tradition and a rich repertoire of indigenous music styles, the political interest of young musicians, a changing media landscape and the lively club and art scenes all inspire and stimulate each other.

The varied live programme of Jazzfest Berlin – Johannesburg has been created through an intense dialogue with co-curator and production partner Jess White as well as themusicians involved. On Friday and Saturday night six acts each will alternate playing on stage at Sognage in Johannesburg and in the Betonhalle at silent green in Berlin, both for their local live audiences and broadcast to the partner venue in real time by multi-channel audio-visual stream. Berlin audiences will be able to experience the concerts from Sognage via four independent live projections, with one screen on each side of the Betonhalle’s auditorium.

A solo concert by Nduduzo Makhathini in Berlin will provide an introspective finale to the festival. And the Johannesburg Digital Guide as well as a panel discussion at Sognage engage with contexts of the city’s creative music scene.

“Across the globe, jazz music aficionado’s highly sought-after destination is Johannesburg, a music city rich with history from Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Lady Smith Black Mambazo, Stimela to Abdulla Ibrahim. The Johannesburg edition of Jazzfest Berlin this year aims to take the audience on a hybrid journey of sorts. This programme is a snapshot of the music scene in Johannesburg, a scene filled with amazing composers and musicians who create music that speaks to the heart of being South African, addressing cultural and political issues through music.”

Jess White (Johannesburg)