Various well-known musicians, including an alumnus and PhD student of Stellenbosch University (SU), recently participated in a jazz festival hosted at a local Stellenbosch wine farm.
The family-owned Glenelly Estate in Idas Valley, Stellenbosch, recently hosted its first Jazz and Vines festival. PHOTO: Micaleb Lawrence
This is according to the producer of the Jazz and Vines festival, Malusi Ndlovu. He stated that the three-day event, hosted between 11 and 13 March, featured artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai, Msaki and Omagugu.
The Jazz and Vines festival, which was hosted by Glenelly Estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, was sold out over the three days of the event, said Nicolas Bureau, CEO of the estate.
The organisers of the Jazz and Vines festival, which was recently hosted at Glenelly Estate, with musicians who performed at the event. From left to right – Gontse Makhene (percussion), Khayelihle Ndlovu (event organiser), Lwazi Ndlovu (event organiser), Ariel Zamonsky (double bass), Nduduzo Makhathini (piano and vocals), Ayanda Sikade (drums), Robyn Fassie Kock (trumpet), Malusi Ndlovu (producer). PHOTO: Supplied/Xolani Tulumani
Headliner
Well-known jazz pianist and SU master’s graduate Nduduzo Makhathini was the lead musician in this Jazz and Vines event. Makhathini is currently a PhD student in religious and sacred music studies at SU, and a Blue Note Records artist.
As part of the event, a panel discussion on Jazz and Vines’ theme was led by Makhathini; doctor Uhuru Portia Phalafala, a professor in SU’s english department; and doctor Stephanie Vos of SU’s music department.
The theme of the event was “singing as a way of being in the world”, stated Ndlovu.
Makhathini included his audience in his performance at Jazz and Vines by having a panel discussion and a sing-along in the last item. “Every particular song performed had a strong outlet of expression necessary for communities where one does not decline the invitation to listen and engage beyond entertainment,” said Makhathini.
Musicians Nduduzo Makhathini and Gontse Makhene performed together at the recent Jazz and Vines event in Stellenbosch. The percussion was played by Makhene and piano with vocals was performed by Makhathini. AUDIO: Micaleb Lawrence
“Every musician was coming down in full circle taking me to the end of a journey on Sunday and the celebration on Saturday,” stated Kenny Masethe, who attended Jazz and Vines for the last two evenings of the three-day event.
Malusi Ndlovu and his brothers Lwazi Ndlovu and Khayelihle Ndlovu, who took part in the curation for Jazz and Vines, brought their vision of jazz being performed in a vineyard to life with this event. This was according to Malusi, who remains optimistic that the event’s success in 2022 will be maintained annually.