In 2013, the Festival is proud to introduce a new Jazz Festival venue – the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College. The venue will offer a great jazz show at 21.30, with a 23.30 Jazz Jam session or late-night blues gig where audiences can catch musicians letting off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, every night.
The opening act features a collaboration between some of the hippest young jazz musicians in the country: Neil Engel (trumpet), Nduduzo Makhathini (piano), Romy Brauteseth (bass), Ayanda Sikade (drums).
Cape Town saxophonist Dan Shout has just released his second album, fresh from a stint of international touring in Johnny Clegg’s band. He appears with Gorm Helfjord (guitar), Romy Brauteseth (bass), and Jonno Sweetman (drums).
An exciting young funk band from Amsterdam – Bruut! – features Maarten Hogenhuis (sax), Folkert Oosterbeeck (Hammond organ), Thomas Rolff (bass), Felix Schlarmann (drums).
Lee Thomson is an innovative young trumpeter from Cape Town who plays in a wide variety of musical styles. He takes to the stage with Nduduzo Makhathini (piano), Gorm Helfjord (guitar), Nick Williams (bass), Lloyd Martin (drums).
From Rhini, Grahamstown, comes Imbaula – a band in the genuine South African jazz tradition – Julius Moyake (sax), Moses Kade (trombone), Lee Gary Sias (guitar), Leslie Demaary (guitar), Michael Smith (bass), Ben Dlukulu (drums).
Four jazz lecturers from Rhodes University form a quartet under saxophonist Rick van Heerden. He is joined by Nishlyn Ramanna (piano), Kingsley Buitendag (bass), and Steve Ellis (drums).
The Lowlander will also provide a home to nightly Jazz Jams, or Late-night Blues with Robin Auld, Albert Frost & Friends, at 23.30; and is bound to play host to a multitude of spontaneous surprises.
The 39th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.
Author: Fiona Gordon
Website: http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
Port Elizabethan
Latest posts by Port Elizabethan (see all)
- Why Fewer People Are Being Convicted for Commercial Crimes - 15 May 2026
- Urgent Call for South Africa to Support and Join Global Efforts to Phase Out Fossil Fuels - 15 April 2026
- Unfenced 6 SAI Army Base Outside Makhanda Claims Another Life - 20 November 2025
- Death Toll Rises From Makhado Bus Crash - 21 October 2025
- Law Clinics Flooded as Home Affairs Blocks Asylum Seekers From the System - 15 October 2025
