Rising local jazz bands to share stage with maestros
In an effort to revive jazz culture in Durban, the city will soon be hosting monthly jazz sessions by the harbour. In the build-up to this, up-and-coming bands are encouraged to audition this Sunday, and take one step closer to being on the line-up of the sessions.
ETHEKWINI-BASED jazz bands may soon find themselves sharing the stage with the best in the game, provided they hit the right note during this weekend’s auditions at Bat Centre.
Internationally renowned jazz musician Dr Nduduzo Makhathini as well as Dr Susan Barry will this weekend judge the auditions and select the best in developing jazz. Both of them are also music lecturers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Auditions will be held on Sunday, February 2, at the Bat Centre from 10:00 to 17:00.
Upon success, the jazz bands will later be part of the eThekwini Jazz Sessions.
Also read: Durban musician aims to revive live jazz shows
On behalf of the City, Gugu Sisilana shared, “The auditions aim to select development jazz bands from eThekwini to participate in the monthly eThekwini Jazz Sessions. These will be a series of jazz concerts held monthly at the Bat Centre. Selected jazz bands will have the opportunity to form part of the monthly line-up and perform alongside other prominent professional jazz artists from eThekwini.
“The programme aims to develop jazz in the City and provide developing bands with a platform to perform while creating opportunities for learning through masterclasses and workshops that will be conducted by professional jazz artists.”
Professional jazz musicians will not be allowed to audition. However, professional jazz musicians are encouraged to register on the City’s jazz database. To register, jazz artists can contact Sipho Mtshali on sipho.mtshali@durban.gov.za or 031 322 7790.
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