Skip to content Skip to footer

Story of SA Jazz Collaborations

 

 

The Jazz Against Apartheid Homecoming Tour in Buffalo City in 2022 has further cemented the profound and long-term co-operation between Germany and the Eastern Cape, as per the bi-lateral agreement signed between Eastern Cape and Lower Saxony in the early 1990s.

This is demonstrated by the wide cooperation and  great interest among political, administrative and civil society decision makers, musicians, music educators and enthusiasts to retain this event long-term in the Eastern Cape for the purpose of a varied skills development and stimulus within  the creative industries economy.   

“Truly a memorable milestone, this workshop proved to be. The music students of differing ages, gender and levels got immersed into the JAA Band’s songs, and got the opportunity for special tutoring linked to the instruments they play. The students came locally, from other parts of East London  and as far afield as Queenstown-Komani from the Mlungisi Gegana Music Academy. The rain would pour and cease, rendering darkness and freshness to the day. I felt the spirit of Mbizo Dyani pouring out of the courtyard, over the roof, onto the main business road , a hive of car wash bays and shisa nyama-braai stalls all along the edges. Groups of teen boys and girls from the shack land came in out curiosity to watch and enjoy the inspiring music.”

Musical instruments of all categories including strings, percussion and brass are rehearsed for performance in a group setting (collaboration). The vision is to A partner with universities, offering jazz, culture and development courses; and B: Grow the music tuition into the long-term creation of a resident Jazz Against Apartheid youth band in the Eastern Cape.

A shared awareness of the role Jazz artists from the EC played in the international struggle against apartheid including the subsequent richness of the artistic heritage that has been cultivated over decades in Europe and especially in Germany. Ongoing dialogues create an intellectual historical memory  exchange around music.

Access to these well-established international professional contributors and the contemporary influences from their own projects. On-the-job training for youth jazz and culture learners to  work on the Jazz Against Apartheid festival and Online conferencing offering skills transfer and building towards longer-term exchanges.

Add Comment