Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised musically in New York, Yayoi Ikawa was the star of the night at St Micheals Sands Hotel last Sunday.
The pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader wowed guests with her soothing jazz compositions alongside Jimmy Mngwandi on acoustic bass and Sbusiso Zondi on drums.
Ikawa said music is a gift given to her, and it is her mission to use it for the world around her to be a better place.
“I want my music to be an experience of ingenuity and compassion. I first became fascinated by the sound of jazz when I was a high school exchange student from Japan in Portland, Oregon. Music became more than just sounds, but a powerful communication tool and has opened many doors for me,” said Ikawa.
She said she lives by being kind to others, and her music is a honest reflection of her life. “In music, I lift up humanity by sharing emotions. I play so that people can feel the joy that there is always enough to share. I cry in music so that people don’t have to cry alone,” she added.
There were also performances by jazz DJs Sjadu Dlamini, Lumi Mokgadi, Phakama Luthuli, Brenda Sisana and the South Coast’s DJ Mshedis who closed off the session with legendary tracks.
Event organisers, Andile Yeyana and Zanele Luhabe of Umgqungqo Wabantu said the aim of the event was to bring jazz lovers together and grow the music genre on the South Coast.
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