The Herald Spotlight asked Bay jazz musician Ulagh Williams for her take on this year's Standard Bank Jazz Festival. This is her take on Zenzi Makeba Lee and Amanda Tiffin's collaboration at DSG Hall
There are some very impressive ladies on stage at Jazztown this year and they are changing the musical landscape one note at a time by inspiring the youth.
The collaboration between Zenzi Makeba Lee and Amanda Tiffin was a tribute to the sounds of Africa, featuring songs by Makeba Lee’s famous grandmother Miriam Makeba, and fresh compositions by both artists.
New York-born Makeba Lee channeled some Mama Afrika magic, but she performs with a more subtle energy. A dip of the shoulder, a twist of the hip and she charms the audience with understated ease.
She really shines in Liwa Wechi – from breathy vocal effects to rich belting, she showcased the different colours of her voice.Zimbabwean-born jazz composer and educator Tiffin’s displayed a mature confidence.
Her composition Consideration was impressive, displaying her vocal dexterity to the fullest. It was in stark contrast to her ballad A Woman Like Me with which she and Makeba Lee opened the show, singing “the change can start with me”.
She performs comfortably in the vernacular and her gentle rendition of Neria by Oliver Mtukudzi was a highlight.
Pianist Afrika Mkhize is jazz royalty too – the son of legendary Themba Mkhize has carved out his own legacy as composer and producer.
His dreamy solo in Jolinkomo had the audience spellbound. His onstage chemistry with wife, Makeba Lee, really shows in songs like Bandi Jongile with its whispers of Sophiatown.
Drummer Marlon Witbooi uses every imaginable sound on the kit without overwhelming the singers while percussionist Tlali Makhene's subtle whistles and bird sounds provided atmosphere and colour.
Bay jazz bass export Romy Brauteseth’s lyrical solo in the ballad Ingoma ye Nkedama deserves a mention.
She moves effortlessly between sensitive lines and driving grooves throughout the show.
A lovely touch was including some young students attending the festival in the last two songs.
Miriam Makeba’s iconic hits African Sunset and A Luta Continua drew cheers from the audience.
It was a shoutout to the youth across the continent to rise up and effect change. Sharing a stage with jazz royalty certainly went a long way towards realising that dream.