2024 Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz Set to Celebrate 25 Years as Africa’s Premier Jazz Festival

This year, the SBJOJ will host over 50 world class musicians, from more than 10 countries. Artists will perform across five stages in two days. The festival will showcase jazz music accents from the African continent, Europe, East Asia, and the Americas to weave a truly global vision of jazz as a world unifying musical idiom.

Bonga Sebesho, Group Head of Sponsorships at Standard Bank, says, "The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has been the harmonious heartbeat of our corporate narrative for several years, and its 25th-year celebration promises to be a memorable occasion. This platform reflects our devotion to creativity, inclusivity, growth and diversity as Africa's largest bank with a longstanding tradition in the arts. Standard Bank Joy of Jazz not only celebrates the rich tapestry of jazz, but it has also served as a catalyst for cultural exchanges that promote camaraderie through the universal language of music.

The curators have crafted a quarter century instalment with a not-to-be-missed musical performances and lifestyle experiences for the 2024 SBJOJ. The musical offering will showcase performances by rising stars along with jazz giants who previously headlined the festival.

The Grammy Award winning Chris Botti will perform alongside trumpet giants such as UK based producer and hornsman, MATTHEW HALSALL, Mzansi’s own immaculate FEYA FAKU; The current jazz category Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA)awardee, trumpeter DAREN ENGLISH featuring virtuoso pianist, and KENNY BANKS Jr (USA). The unmissable showing by Cuban elder statesmen of jazz piano with a career spanning over 50 years, CHUCHO VALDES ROYAL QUARTET. The SBYA alumni and song stylist whose career straddles jazz and classical music, SIBONGILE MNGOMA, along with the amazing bassist and composer, VICTOR MASONDO are poised to bring magic to the stage.

On the CONGA STAGE, there will be a rare ‘Japan meets South Africa’ collaboration - pianist KEIKO MATSUI will perform with a guest appearance by NOKUKHANYA DLAMINI. The rising visionary composer and pianist, SIBUSISO MASHILOANE will present his latest project, “IZIBONGO”, while the infectious and prodigiously gifted composer and vocalist, MANDISI DYANTYIS returns to SBJOJ stage to serenade fans with his blend of roots and jazz song. The joyous steelband from Trinidad and Tobago, SIPARIA DELTONES will present the music collaborated and recorded with the late great, Hugh Masekela. The jazz vocalist with a career that lives up to the global reach of South African jazz idiom, TUTU PUOANE (SA-Belgium) too will join the celebration of the SBJOJ quarter century milestone. In a much anticipated presentation of West African flavour of griots, the marvellous contender for Mali’s new queen of song, FATOUMATA DIAWARA returns to the stage where she first performed as backline to the great Oumou Sangare.

DIPHALA STAGE will showcase an epoch marking collaboration between the inimitable vocalist, LIZZ WRIGHT (USA) who returns to the SBJOJ to perform with guest artist BRENDA MTAMBO (SA). The incredibly gifted vocalist and composer, SPHA MDLALOSE (SA), MIMI MTSHALI (SA), and Portuguese trumpeter, with Angola and Cape Verdean parents, JESSICA PINA will blow her unique blend of influences from her African roots with various urban flavours. Drum heads can look forward to the South Korean born SVEN ROZIER GROUP featuring Dutch trumpeter, ELLISTER VAN DER MOLEN, while youthful keyboard wizard, MPUMI DHLAMINI will present “TRIBUTE OF NOTE”; and KAREN DEVROOP (SA) completes the ensemble.

The rootsy sounds on MBIRA STAGE will feature a TRIBUTE TO OLIVER MTUKUDZI showcasing SAMANTHA MTUKUDZI (ZIM), MADUVHA MADIMA (SA), Princess of Africa YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA (SA) and MBEU (ZIM). Then, on a magical journey of personal and creative revival, JOE NINA REFRAMED collaborates with THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE BAND (SA) – promising interesting surprises. The ever loved songstress, MALEH (LESOTHO/SA) is back by popular demand.

The iconic singer songwriter that Hugh Masekela once lauded as the “voice of our generation,” THANDISWA MAZWAI (SA) returns to SBJOJ with her new project, Sankofa with the Senegalese band that originally recorded the music. More South African musical caffeination will be served by MICASA, VUSI NOVA, and MAFIKIZOLO (SA), while the keeper of the youthful revolutionary spirit of South African protest hymns, IPHUPHO L’KA BIKO (SA) will put his stamp on proceedings. To keep things burning in a poetic sense - the prophetic voice of BONGIZIWE MABANDLA (SA) and legend IHASHI ELIMHLOPHE will set the stage on fire.

The stage with an exciting acquisitive experimental edge on the margin of jazz and electronic music, the LOUNGE STAGE will feature GROOVE STREET presented by LULO CAFÉ (SA), the Artivist will present Black Love hosted by JUST THEMBA SA and the amazing ever evolving music movement, WHAT IS WRONG WITH GROOVING DJ KENZHERO, NOTHEMBA MADUMO & THA MUZIK (SA).

“We are heartened and energised by the milestone of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz turning 25 years. We have been blessed to consistently showcase the best in class jazz and lifestyle from South Africa and the world. It underscores the festival not only as a premier jazz event on the African continent, but as a destination event that also drives economic and cultural development in the city and the region. This is an important contribution we wish to grow and deepen into the future,” says Mantwa Chinoamadi, Producer of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.