KZN International Jazz Festival

Lifestyle entertainment in Formal/Vintage suits. No cooler box, VIP Dinner set up with jazz cats dance floor. A family treat in decent restaurant and beer garden for those that drink responsibly. Tight security to safe parking area. 7 hours of good and therapy music, Corporate Environment and Business Networking. #FeelSpecial.

Event: KZN International Jazz Day Festival 2023.
Venue: The Station (65 Masabalala Yengwa Ave. Stamford Hill, Durban)
Date: 03 June 2023
Time: 15:30 – 23:00
Concept: International Jazz Hour – Afro Jazz Hour – Smooth Jazz Hour
Presentation: General: Cocktail to Auditorium Set up
VIP: Cocktail to Dinner Set up

Sagiya Foundation in association with the KZN Jazz Appreciators Association presents KZN International Jazz Festival 2023.

KZN International Jazz Festival is supported by South African National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to present and produced a KZN signature Jazz Festival that attract international market in tourism, social cohesion, economic development and to contribute in the conservation of South African Jazz heritage.

Sagiya Foundation celebrated International Jazz Day with band as they were launching this festival on the 30th April 2023. The launch was held at The University of KwaZulu Natal Centre for Jazz. The Launch was presented along with UKZN Music Department as they are celebrating 40 years of teaching and learning, while acknowledging its Alumni that have sustained meaningful and tangible achievements in the Jazz fraternity. Cllr. Nkosenhle Madlala, Ethekwini Municipality Executive Member and Chairperson of Governance and HR, Professor Sihawu Ngubane, The Dean of Music in Education at UKZN, Eric Apelgren The Director at Ethekwini Municipality International Relations Unit, Mr Howard Msomi The General Secretary of CCIFSA (Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of South Africa), Sibusiso Vivian Mlambo The General Secretary of KZNJAA (KZN Jazz Appreciators Association), Atlas Duma and Xolisa Dlamini from Sagiya Foundation, the founders of KZN International Jazz Festival cut a ribbon as signal of the Jazz Festival Launch.

This brings about great excitement to Sagiya Foundation to bring one of the great Jazz giants, Richard Bona from USA and Yayoi Ikawa from Japan. SA will be represented by Selaelo Selota, Dr Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza (Abasemkhathi Project), Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble, Xolisa Dlamini, Featuring Zawadi Yamungu, Mthobisi Mthalane, Trio of Nibs Van Der Spuy, Neil Gonsalves and Demi Fernandez, Bongani Nkwanyana and many more.

KZN International Jazz Festival will be held at The Station Functions and Events Centre on the 3rd of June 2023. Three segmented themes such as The International Jazz Hour, Afro Jazz Hours and Smooth Jazz Hour will be presented as major sessions of the festival. A Gala Dinner set up will provide a conducive environment for Jazz Appreciators to enjoy food and drinks, while enjoying music from their favourite artists as VIP.

The festival will be presented in three phases. Phase 1 (Morning Session) will be a Musical Business Masterclass and Improvisation workshops. Phase 2 (Midday Session) will be an Opening Plenary with red carpet cocktail feel for art business network and sponsorship shining opportunity. Phase 3 will be a Grand presentation of KZN International Jazz Festival 2023.

We invite all media personnel to issue articles about this phenomenal festival prior to the day and to come to the festival to capture rich stories of KZN Jazz successors, legends, appreciators, etc.

About the KZN Jazz Festival 2023 Line up:

1. Richard Bona
Relocated to USA from Cameroon, Bona has honoured Sagiya Foundation to come to South Africa and share his talent with his native Africans. Bona Pinder Yayumayalolo, better known as Richard Bona, was born October 28, 1967 in Minta, a village in central Cameroon. From the moment of Richard Bona’s birth, music has been the center of his world. He is the grandson of a famous percussionist and singer.

Beginning with the music his mother and four sisters sang in church every Sunday, Bona gained an early passion for sounds and harmony. He joined the choir at age 5, and soon Bona’s family realized they had a musical prodigy among them. Richard has a highly unusual gift — he only has to look intently at someone playing, and he can learn the instrument.

Not blessed with traditional instruments, Bona found creative ways of making instruments for himself, including reed flutes, a large balafon, wooden percussion instruments and a 12-string guitar. “I hung around the workshops where they repaired bicycles,” Bona recalls, “and as soon as the guys turned their backs, I’d put brake-cables in my pocket for my prototype.”

Rehearsing for eight to 12 hours per day, Bona honed his skills. He performed as a singer and a multi-instrumentalist in a range of religious ceremonies, and soon he became known beyond his village for his musical virtuosity. At age 11, Bona went with his father to Duala, sea-port city with nearly 2 million residents. Bona quickly found his first job, as a guitarist with a dance group. Going on to session dates with Joe Zawinul, Regina Carter, and Bob James as well as a two-year stint as musical director for the great Harry Belafonte. He made his debut as a headliner in 1999 with Scenes from My Life, and two years later Reverence came out. In 2003, Bona made his Verve debut with Munia: The Tale, which explored the territories of rock and jazz while keeping his West African influences, and 2005’s Toto Bona Lokua was a joint effort with Lokua Kanza (from the Congo) and Gerald Toto (from Martinique). In 2006, Tiki, featuring guest artists like John Legend and Djavan, was released. Bio by Jason Ankeny.

2. Yayoi Ikawa
Born in Tokyo, Japan, but raised musically in New York, Yayoi is an experience in ingenuity and compassion. As a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader, Yayoi has worked in many countries. Being exposed to diverse music scene in New York after moving from Japan, Yayoi quickly adopted herself in various styles of music such as Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Soul, Classical and World music. After completing her studies at New School where she received the Henry and Gill Block scholarship, Yayoi was a faculty member at the International Jazz and Dance Academy in Slovenia along with her mentor Reggie Workman in 2003 and 2004.
After recording a straight ahead jazz piano trio on Nippon Crown release “Angel Eyes” in 2004, she self produced “Color of Dreams” in 2005 displaying her original compositions. Yayoi has toured nationally as well as internationally with her groups, and appeared International Jazz festivals in Japan, Italy, Haiti, France, Slovenia, and Costa Rica. In 2008, Yayoi started “The Bridge Project”

Yayoi has worked with such legendary artists as Reggie Workman, Michael Carvin, Howard Johnson, Michal Urbaniak, Butch Morris, Craig Harris, Lenny Pickett, Frank Lacy, Lonnie Plaxico, Fostina Dixon, Salim Washington, Emeline Michel, James Germain, Daniel Bernard Roumain, The Meditations, Kaissa etc. Yayoi is a music director at First Baptist Church in Piscataway NJ, and a jazz piano instructor at City College of New York, Brooklyn College. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan.

3. Selaelo Selota
SELAELO SELOTA was born and grew up in a rural village near Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) in South Africa’s most northern Limpopo Province, where he remembers being greatly inspired by the traditional musical practice that were abundant all around him. On completing high school, and not having financial resources to further his studies, he found employment in mining. Working in the mines and living amongst the migrant workers, he was exposed to the traditional songs and dances from many other South African tribal groups. After three years, in 1989 he left the mines and went to Johannesburg – commonly known as “Egoli” (The City of Gold) – in search of a new direction in his life.

In Johannesburg he found work at Market Theatre as an usher and later as a cleaner at famous Newtown Night club Kippies Jazz International, where he seized every opportunity to learn from the musicians he heard performing there, night after night. During that year he bought his first guitar FUBA (Federated Union of Black Artist) Academy. By June 1998 Selaelo was playing with his first band at the Market, and also gigging with renowned Ghananian artist George Lee and his outfit Anansi…
Read more about Selaelo Selota on https://www.last.fm/music/Selaelo+Selota/+wiki

4. Dr Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza (Abasemkhathi Project)
Sagiya Foundation is very proud to present Dr Nduduzo Makhathini in KZN International Jazz Festival 2023. This will be one of his 1st performance series after adding his feather on his hat as he recently graduated with PHD and relocated to his home province KZN, to continue with his mission of empowering the young musicians. UKZN must be very proud to catch such a big fish to serve the institution of music teaching and learning. In KZN International Jazz Festival, Dr Makhathini along with Mbuso Khoza will be sharing beautiful indigenous sounds from their 2022 Album “AbasemKhathini Project”.

“Living in ‘former colonial zones’ raises many concerns about ‘being’ and an African place in the world. In seeking to understand one’s purpose on earth, we are constantly challenged and haunted by the violence of the erasure. This problem challenges for instance how one thinks of festivity and ritual. This album does not claim to resolve such complex issues of an African being but opens up space for us to re-think notions of space and time in this post-colonial time period”. By Dr Nduduzo Makhathini

Read more about Nduduzo Makhathini: https://musicworksinternational.us9.list-manage.com/…

5. Xolisa Dlamini Ft. Zawadi Yamungu
Xolisa Dlamini is the Co-Founder of KZN International Jazz Festival with her business partner Mr Atlas Duma, the CEO of Sagiya Foundation.
Xolisa Dlamini is an artist from South Africa. This Eastern Cape-born music lecturer and vocal coach, who has contributed to the music education of some of SA’s biggest artists, has released latest album titled Fire Born earlier this year. Her music can be described as vocal jazz with hints and elements of afro-soul, gospel, traditional folk and contemporary maskanda music.

Dlamini, who was born in the remote village of Rode in eMaxesibeni, is regarded as a veteran in musical theatre and education in SA. She has shared her knowledge as a music lecturer at the Durban University of Technology. Dlamini describes her music as a traditional African sound that all can relate to. Her passion for music and storytelling began at a young age when she experienced visions and life-changing challenges in her life.

The seasoned musician’s three albums have received widespread national recognition and award nominations. Her first album, Times, received nominations for best contemporary album and best female composer at the South African Music Awards. Her second album, Afro Blue, was nominated for best contemporary jazz album at the Metro FM Awards in 2010.

6. Mthobisi Mthalane
One the great KZN Pianists that have discovered his sound, signature articulation and his solos paint the true feeling of his emotions where the listener connects and heal the wounds of sorrows and gain compassion, love happiness. Mr Mthalane will be blessing KZN International Jazz Festival patrons as he will be showcasing his beautiful Eps that he recorded and released with Sagiya Records. His EP are Mthobisi Mthalane Live in Sagiya Virtual Jazz Concert 2020 and Sagiya Celebrates KZN Jazz Legends in Concert 2021. These Eps won a couple of nominations and Awards. EP 2020 won him SATMA Awards 2022 as The Best Afro Jazz Artist, EP 2021 won him MMIA (Mzansi Musical Instrumentalist Awards) as The Best Pianist.
Bio: SOUTH Africa-trotting jazz pianist Mthobisi Mthalane
Hailing from Impendle, Mthalane has stayed in a number of places including Pietermaritzburg where he teaches music. He studied music at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Apart from playing he is also composer, song arranger, voice training and producer.

Mthalane has worked with many high profile artists such as Dorothy Masuku, Camagwini, Ntando, Zulu Boy, Rebecca Maloepe, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Benjamin Dube, Jub Jub and Jazel brothers, to mention just a few. In 2013 he worked with Madala Kunene, Maisha (multi-racial rock band) and is a pianist in the Vusi Mkhize Band. He is the music director of the theatre­ production Long Journey, which received a standing ovation on its opening night at The Playhouse Company (Durban) in 2012.
Mthalane has also been part of big events such as SABC Gospel Music Crown Awards from 2008 to 2011 as a pianist and band leader. He also participated in Satma Awards in 2009. Recently nominated in Mzantsi Jazz Awards for Best Traditional Jazz and Satma Awards for Best African Jazz 2022.

7. Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble (UJE)
Background: Umkhumbane Ensemble is a musical outfit from Durban, formed out of musical influences of ‘Umkhumbane Settlement’, currently known as Cato Manor, on the western part of Durban. Senior members of the band learned their trade in Umkhumbane and plied their trades in Durban YMCA and ‘eMathilamini’ (Trams Durban Bus Depot), which were the only musical venues available to them during the fifties.
Music Style/Genre
The band is set up on marabi music style with strong big band influence. Their repertoire is dominated by music of the late 50’s mixed with big band selection and UJE members’ compositions. UJE has decided to rescue this music style before it gets lost. UJE fans also enjoy original compositions by various musicians of UJE. The music style of UJE also bring you back to the vibes of Sofia Town and District Six. The Ensemble comprises of the following Jazz Legends: Horn Section: Jerry Kunene, Mduduzi Magwaza (Former Mango Groove Penny Whistler), Sithembiso Ntuli, Muntu Dube and 90 years old Moses Sefatsa, who recently hanged up his horn. The Brass Section includes Eric Duma and Bhekisigcino Luthuli. Rhythm section includes Vincent Mtetwa on Piano, Mduduzi Mahlobo on Guitar, KB ‘The Master’ Maphumulo and Atlas Duma on Drums.

8. Bongani Nkwanyana
One the artists that Sagiya Foundation is proud of. Bongani never disappoint with his musical performance on stage. The Groove Keeper with Talking Fingers. Nkwanyana recorded and released his latest EP “Bongani Nkwanyana Live in Sagiya Celebrates KZN Jazz Legends 2021” The EP won his The Best Bass Guitarist in MMIA (Mzansi Musical Instrumentalist Awards 2022.

Bio: Bongani was born on the 31 July 1962 at eMkhumbane, Cator Manor, in Durban. Like many other black families during those dark days of apartheid his way; also forcefully moved to KwaMashu in 1965 as a result of the notorious “group areas act”.

Bongani has performed with many well-known and established South African musicians including the likes of Busi Mhlongo, Wendy Mseleku, Tu Nokwe, Mercy Phakela, All Katt, Mbongeni Ngema and many more… His musical career has seen touring far and wide – countries as far away as Germany, with many tours of Swaziland, Botswana. Senegal, Namibia and others.

Bongani Nkwanyana met the late Sipho Gumede who was impressed with his playing that he asked him on the spot to join him as his backing bass guitarist. Nkwanyana played with, from that day on, right up until the day Gumede passed on in 2004.
Sipho became Bongani’s greatest mentor and his music is heavily influenced by Gumede’s style of composition and playing. He featured prominently in the majority if Sipho Gumede’s hit albums released under Sheer Sound, and all of his live events.
It must be said that although Sipho Gurnede t s-musical tapestry is re-painted somewhat by the talented Bongani Nkwanyana, this man has put his own interpretations, colour and touches into it and has truly made it his own. The musical style (much longed for and missed by many since been grown, re-invented and improved in many instances for a new generation and dispensation of the present age.

9. Demi Fernandez, Neil Gonzalves and Nibs Van Der Spuy (trio)
Demi Fernandez, Nibs van der Spuy and Neil Gonsalves first crossed paths in Durban’s music scene in the early 90’s. Demi had recently taken up a teaching position in the Technikon Natal Light Music program and Nibs was one of his first students. Neil was a student in the jazz program at the University of Natal at the time and both he and Nibs count Demi’s dazzling virtuoso performance at a Guitars for Africa concert at the Playhouse as a lasting impression and inspiration. A few years later, Neil would join Demi on the music faculty at the Tech and he would inherit the Music History module that Nibs previously taught. Nibs was heading out on the road at the time with his band, Landscape Prayers and a few years later Nibs’ rhythm section of Logan Byrne and Bruce Baker would make their foray into jazz in Neil’s band, Tonk.

These interweaving and overlapping trajectories in their respective musical journeys continue to this day, and the three friends meet at least once a year, most often over Nibs’ delicious chicken braai and Portuguese vino for a festive catch-up. You can expect to hear music from their respective catalogues, including music from Nibs’ new release, Maiden of the River, Demi and Neil’s Latinfluence duo record, Neil’s Blessings and Blues trio record and reworked seasonal music for some much-needed cheer.

Demi Fernandez was born in Brazil of Spanish parents who moved to South Africa. After matriculating in Pretoria, Demi spent many years living, studying and performing in Flamenco Tablaos in Spain. Upon his return to South Africa he performed extensively for all the Spanish dance companies in South Africa including the Danza Lorca Dance Company with whom he also toured Austria and Greece. He completed a Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music at Pretoria Technikon and an Honours degree in Music at UCT. He continues to perform with the Linda Vargas Dance Company and can be heard in duo with Neil Gonsalves on their 2013 release, Latinfluence.

Nibs van der Spuy is one of the most extraordinary and exciting world acoustic guitarists to come out of South Africa. Born in Benoni just outside Johannesburg and living in the fertile province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Nibs immersed himself in his natural environment to formulate a truly consummate and original sound. Growing up with the Beatles and learning first hand from traditional Zulu Maskandi guitarists, he quickly soaked up a rich eclectic tapestry of his surroundings and beyond. Nibs’ following grew and culminated in him being the support act for Crosby, Stills and Nash on their 1996 South African tour. He was soon signed to the SHEER (South African World Music) label where he released over 10 albums. Nibs released his first solo album in seven years, MAIDEN OF THE RIVER in May 2022. The new material was written along the Lisbon Coast during the global lockdowns and conveys a deep message of hope, deliverance and healing in a world off balance.

Composer/pianist, Neil Gonsalves completed a Masters degree in Jazz Performance cum laude at the University of Natal in 1999. He recorded a debut CD with his band Tonk in 2000 and North Facing in 2006 which was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden. He has worked with many of South Africa’s most well-known and respected jazz musicians as well as relatively long tenures with Busi Mhlongo and Johnny Clegg with whom he toured from 2000-2004. He is the Director of the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at UKZN and released two recordings during lockdown, Blessings and Blues and a solo piano album called Concert for One.

About International Jazz Day

I, Atlas Duma the Administrations and Managing Director of KZN International Jazz Day and Xolisa Dlamini, The Artistic Director of KZN International Jazz Day take pride to introduce to you the International Jazz Day.

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

South Africa is invited to be part of the celebration and Cape Town is the main hosting city. Johannesburg and Durban are encouraged by The Director of the Strategic Team to host the celebration on their capacity, with a full support and any required endorsements material. Ms Brenda Sisane, The Director of the South African International Jazz Day touched base with SAGIYA Foundation and provided all necessary information as to how to structure and organize this celebration in a professional and Internationally recognizable manner.

Sagiya Foundation has successfully registered a Trademark and developed a working document that serves as a proposal to attract relevant stakeholders. The Director of the Organising Strategic Team suggested that the KZN International Jazz Day must be presented in an internationally recognized venue for Durban City. Sagiya Foundation has carefully selected Durban ICC to partner with them to host KZN International Jazz Day for Durban/KZN. Sisane encouraged the Durban team to lobby for partnership with Ethekwini Municipality Office of the Mayor, Durban Tourism, KZN Department of Arts and Culture, Office of the MEC.

ICC, TV Channel, Local Radio Stations, Independent Newspapers and private businesses for partnership development.

Sagiya Foundation and KZN International Jazz Day team works tirelessly to attract business partners and this is a call to them to grab this opportunity.

For more information please contact Atlas Duma on
Cell: 0813738185
Email: kznjazzday@gmail.com
Website: www.sagiyafoundation.co.za
Facebook Page: Sagiya Foundation