18 Aug 2009 Some of the world’s leading jazz musicians - appearing at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz which takes place in Newtown from August 27 to 29 - will run free workshops teaching youngsters and musicians the intricacies of the craft.

They include acclaimed Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider (picture below); Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; American pianist Bob Baldwin and saxophonist Marion Meadows and American jazz vocalist Arlee Leonard.

The two groups giving workshops are Netherlands’ popular outfit Room 11 comprising Janne Schra (vocals), Arriën Molema (guitar), Tony Roe (keyboards), Lucas Dols (bass) and Maarten Molema (drums) and Spain’s Sumrrá featuring Manuel Gutiérrez (piano), Xacobeo Martínez Antelo (double bass) and Luis Alberto Rodriguez (LAR) Legido (drums).

In a first for Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, the hit musical stage show Crazy For Jazz: Our Journey Through Music will be included in this year’s programme. Aimed at high schools, Crazy For Jazz runs at the Lab in Newtown from Monday to Friday, August 24 to 28 with two shows daily. There is no charge for entrance but bookings from schools are essential. The contact is Cheryl Sack on 073 194-6532 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Says Peter Tladi of T Musicman: “During the 10 years that Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has taken place, the workshops have become an integral part of the proceedings. It is thanks to some of the world’s top musicians that the youth and aspirant musicians have been exposed to skills they may not otherwise have had access to.”

Clement Motale Director Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank explains the rationale behind the Joy of Jazz workshops: “Our aim with Joy of Jazz has always been to give music lovers in this country the best of international and African jazz. However, we also believe in the importance of giving something back. The musicians who host these workshops mentor young South African musicians, and through making the right connections with aspirant jazz stars, the legacy will endure for years to come.”

For more information on the workshops contact Mojalefa Gwangwa at T Musicman on 011 326 0141 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

The itinerary is as follows:

Monday August 24 to Friday August 28 at the Lab in Newtown: Crazy For Jazz: Our Journey Through Music; two shows daily.

Thursday August 27 from 11am to 1.30pm at the following venues:

•          Music Academy of Gauteng (Daveyton) - Ingrid Jensen
•          South West Gauteng College (Soweto) - Andreas Vollenweider
•          Moses Molelekwa Artist Foundation (Tembisa) - Room 11
•          Central Johannesburg College (Johannesburg Central) – Marion Meadows and Bob Baldwin
•          Beverly Hills (Sedibeng - Vereeniging) - Arlee Leonard
•          Tshwane University of Technology (Tshwane) - Sumrrá

For more information on the line-up, 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 in Johannesburg - a world class African city.