It is once again time for the biggest celebration of Jazz in South Africa, The Cape Town International Jazz Festival. In addition to featuring some of the very best international jazz acts, this year seeing local acts like The Rudimentals and Pops Mohamed take to the stage.
18 Years in the Making
This year marks the 18th instalment of the Cape Town Internation Jazz festival. The festival has become affectionately known as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, and is one of the highlights of the annual music calendar.
Not only do acts come from all over the world to perform, but tourists flood to Cape Town with the sole purpose of taking in the festival.
With 5 stages and over 40 artists performing at the event, there is something for everyone. The festival see’s an annual turnout of over 37 000 attendees!
The Rudimentals
The Rudimentals started out as one of the few South African bands exploring ska music back in 2001. Since then, they’ve broadened their sound palette to include African, reggae, ragga, rock and dancehall music.
At the core of their infectious, assertive sound are the horns of Simon Bates (saxophone), Ross McDonald (trombone) & Jody Engelbrecht (trumpet). In addition, they have Nikolai Athiros on keys, guitarist Doc Mike Levy, drummer Giovanni Cerci and bassist Errol ‘Bong’ Strachan. To round out the sonically diverse band are firecracker vocals from Teboho “Teboes”. Teboes is joined by Cotterell ‘Khaos’ Jop, Whoosain, and Lloyd “King Labash” Charles.
The band has featured at major South African festivals, shared stages with acts including the late Lucky Dube, Johnny Clegg, HHP and Freshlyground, and featured in the documentary Punk in Africa. Impatient of any genre label these days, the band told interviewer Nick Darke: “It’s the music that matters.”
Pops Mohamed
Pops is a multi-instrumentalist and producer. “Migrant miners playing their mouth bows with jazz musicians jamming on Count Basie…these sounds are always in my mind”, said Pops when talking about his influences. “I figured that protecting and preserving our indigenous music could be my contribution…”
He mastered traditional instruments from kora to mouthbow and didgeridoo, while continuing to arrange and produce for a host of South African jazz artists, including the late Moses Molelekwa’s debut, Finding Oneself.
Most recently, he has been working with the representatives of Kalahari San communities to both preserve and expose their healing sounds, and in Cape Town with Dave Reynolds and Tony Cedras.
Other Artists
With over 40 acts playing, there is no shortage of great music. For a full line-up of artists and bands, check out the Cape Town International Jazz Festival website.
To book tickets, [click here]
