Concert to celebrate East Cape jazz giants
JOHANNESBURG'S Market Theatre and the national Arts and Culture Department will present Songs from Jazztown at the Port Elizabeth Opera House tonight.
The presentation is a collage of jazz music written by composers from the Eastern Cape and is directed by James Ngcobo, the artistic director at the Market Theatre.
It represents a celebration of the province's jazz giants.
"We have decided to take our hats off to song composers who were born in the Eastern Cape.
"We felt we did not need people from the Eastern Cape to tell this story as we are all sharing the history. Our aim is to take theatre to the people. We will be going around the Eastern Cape," Ngcobo said.
To pay homage to artists like Todd Matshikiza, Welcome Duru, Victor Ndlazilwana, Victor Ntoni and many more, the Market Theatre will stage this concert version to celebrate the soundtrack they had already put together.
"This is the beginning of the relationship of working together with the Opera House. It is time for us to bring talent to PE," he said.
Ngcobo said it was not the first time the Market Theatre was honouring Port Elizabeth talent.
"The main [Market] theatre is named after John Kani. He has done more work in Gauteng. We also have the awards that are named after Sophie Mgcina.
"So Nelson Mandela Bay people should come and experience a night of music in the theatre," Ngcobo said.
The performance starts at 7pm. Entry is R50 and R30 for students and pensioners. Tickets will be available at the theatre.
On Friday and Saturday, the group will be at the Steve Biko Centre in King William's Town.
On Tuesday and Wednesday next week they will perform at Emthonjeni Arts in Hamburg.
On Friday and Saturday next week, the performances are at the Mlungisi Hall in Stutterheim.
On Sunday next week they will perform at the Miriam Makeba Centre in East London. - Yoliswa Sobuwa
