Young artists show off their skills at Artscape Youth Jazz Festival 2022

It's all rhythm and blues this Youth Month as Artscape brings you the iconic Youth Jazz Festival. Launched in 2003, the project has grown extensively to accommodate the enormous interest and exceptional talent of young jazz musicians, opening doors for their future performances, and honing their musicality.

The festival will put a spotlight on young, aspiring Western Cape-based jazz musicians andinstrumentalists who have made the cut following auditions that were held earlier this year, composed of scholars and informal music students not older than 27.

Artscape has put together online Youth Jazz Festival auditions and put out a call out to young aspiring jazz musicians to submit an audition video via online platforms. The project includes masterclass programmes with the aim to stage selected School Jazz Bands on Friday 17th June 2022 and showcase young Jazz Soloists on Saturday 18th June 2022 at Artscape.

Participating school jazz bands selected to have audiences wooed with their instrumentals are Alexander Sinton High School (Athlone), Bergvliet High school, George High School, Parel Vallei High School (Somerset West), Parklands College, South Peninsula High School (Diep River), The Settlers High School (Bellville) and West Coast Music Academy (Hopefield).

This year’s youth jazz soloists will be mentored by likes of Amanda Tiffin (director, vocalist mentor), Mandisi Dyantyis (songwriter and musical director), Wesley Rustin (bass and guitar mentor) and Marc de Kock (brass and woodwinds mentor),  Blake Hellaby (Piano and mentor) and Kevin Gibson (Drums and mentor).

These highly-skilled panellists have selected the soloists who will grace the Artscape stages this Youth Month.  The spectacular soloists selected to perform on Saturday 18th June 2022 include Asemahle Tsholoba (vocals), Khonco Twala (vocals), Ben Reid (piano), Gilson Amaral (alto saxophone), Joshua Nemaire (bass), Reuben Maart (electric guitar), Kaylin Ndhlovu (violin), Liam Petersen (drums) and Carla Williams (drums). The soloists were encouraged to play their own original compositions of local South African Jazz in celebration of the country and all that it stands for. Patrons are in for a treat with original ballads, as well as local beats, leaving audiences swaying and boogying into the evening.

Says Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux: “The focus of the programme has remained dedicated to providing skills development within the Jazz genre to foster the investment of cultural democratization of our country.  Equally it serves as a stepping-stone that provides opportunities and access to significant role players in the industry.  Artscape is honoured to present these young musicians.  We acknowledge the mentors and technical teams for their dedicated commitment and time given to this project.  

This year’s Youth Jazz Festival is funded by the City of Cape Town.

All activities comply with all COVID-19 regulations including social distancing and patrons must wear masks for entry.

Tickets cost R80 and can be purchased at Computicket or via Artscape Dial-a-seat 021 421 7695.

For media enquiries, please contact Candice@headsupcomm.co.za or cell: 0769589593

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Issued on behalf of: Artscape Theatre CentreMarketing DepartmentSenior Manager: Communications and Brand ManagementSimone HeradienContact: 073 207 1558