29 Jul 2009 The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz’s opening night is a not-to-be-missed jazz-travaganza with audiences treated to both five-star entertainment and a five-course dinner. It will be a celebration of a decade of musical excellence as Standard Bank Joy of Jazz proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary.
 
The Dinaledi Stage, erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, is to be transformed into a glamorous dinner revue venue for the opening night on Thursday 27 August. A ticket to the opening night includes a five-course, sit-down Gala Dinner and a full premium bar and wine service, plus a line-up that makes for an unforgettable and  impressive evening.
 
On the bill are the Lao Tizer Band featuring Emmy Award winning guitarist and composer Chieli Minucci and international violin virtuoso Karen Briggs. The other international headline act is smooth jazz guitarist and singer Norman Brown who is often compared to George Benson. Lao Tizer describes his band’s South African performance as “a world fusion show with different flavours”. Proclaimed as a “torchbearer for the new generation of contemporary jazz,” keyboardist Tizer says the concert will be a mix of tracks from his Diversify album as well as some new material. Over the years he has graced the stage with artists such as Isaac Hayes, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, The Commodores, The Rippingtons, Bruce Hornsby, Jethro Tull and Spyro Gyra. South African jazz lovers are in for a treat from a band that will always deliver something a little different.
 
Says an excited Norman Brown (photo left) of his debut performance in South Africa: “I’m going to play songs from all my CDs. It’s going to be a high-energy performance and I’m going to bring all I have to give. I want to thank all my fans out there who have asked me over the years to come to South Africa. I want them to know I’m going to make the most of this opportunity and I am really looking forward to it.”
 
Tickets for the opening night package. are R2 595 per person excluding VAT and can be booked through Warwick Hospitality on 011 467 8400 or visit www.warwickhospitality.co.za. All other tickets for shows on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, can be booked through Computicket.
 
Running from August 27 to 29 in Newtown, the 2009 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 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.
 
Giants of the jazz world include Switzerland’s Grammy-Award winning Andreas Vollenweider; world renowned trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; show stopping American vocalist Phil Perry; Main Ingredient from America with vocalists Cuba Gooding Sr, Larry Moore and George Stanley Sr; Spain’s Sumrra and Room 11. Performers from the African continent include South Africa’s Jonas Gwangwa; Afro Jazz featuring Jimmy Dludlu; Vusi Mahlasela; Brian Thusi; Sterling EQ; the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for jazz Kesivan Naidoo as well as the Nigerian All Stars featuring Kúnlé Ayo and Rwanda’s Somi.
 
For more information on the line-up and venues 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.