28 Jul 2009 Leading South African songstresses Judith Sephuma and Unathi Nkayi are joining the already impressive line-up at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.
Sephuma – who is regarded as one of the country’s leading jazz and Afro-pop singers and is the recipient of three South African Music Awards (SAMAs) – will perform on the Dinaledi Stage on Friday, August 28. She shares the stage with Spain’s Summra; the Lao Tizer Band featuring violinist Karen Briggs and guitarist Chieli Minucci and Main Ingredient from the US which includes vocalist Cuba Gooding.
 
Over the years, singer and well-known radio presenter Unathi Nkayi (picture right) has collected a string of accolades that have stamped her as one of the most influential women in entertainment. She performs at the Market Theatre on Friday, August 28, and shares the bill with Arlee Leonard and Phil Perry from the US and the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band.
 
Music lovers can expect to see an explosion of talent from the African continent – not only from the big names already announced but also from the musicians performing at the event.
 
Kúnlé Ayo will be performing with the Nigerian All Stars on the Mbira Stage on Saturday, August 29. The band members are Ayo Solanke (saxophone), Olufemi (saxophone), Ola (saxophone), John Adesheun Karonwi (keyboard player), Alex Samuel (keyboard), Olusegun Gabriel Olusi (bass player), Victor Akaninyene Okon (drummer) and Israel Idowu Ajagbe (talking drums).
 
Rwandan star Somi makes her first South African appearance at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz with her eclectic musical mix ranging from soul to jazz with references to her African heritage and rhythms of the continent. She is delighted to be using South African and African musicians in her band including Clement Benny (drums), Mlungisi Gegana (bass), Kúnlé (guitar) and Nduduzo Makhathini (piano).
 
Running from August 27 to 29 in Newtown, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2009 line-up features artists from America, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands who will be joined by top performers from South Africa and the African Diaspora. For more information on the line-up go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za.
 
The 2009 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is presented by Standard Bank and T-Musicman