Draft:Standard Bank Joy of Jazz

Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
[[File:SBJOJ Conga Stage.jpg|thumb|Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival Conga StageDates September

Location Johannesburg, South Africa

Years Active 1997-present

Founded by TMusicman ]]About The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival is an annual music festival that has been going on for over 20 years in Johannesburg, South Africa. The festival showcases over 35 performances from local and international artists over several stages over a few days. The festival showcases a lineup of musical stars from around the world, specially curated for jazz and musical lovers. The festival also contributes to social cohesion, economic growth, and cultural tourism..

Standard Bank has been in a partnership with Joy of Jazz as a title sponsor since 2000

Background

The Joy of Jazz Festival was established in 1997 and is produced by TMusicman. In the year 2000, the festival took place in Newtown Johannesburg, featuring artists such as US jazz maestros saxophonist Marion Meadows and pianist Bob Baldwin. The festival first attracted over 2000 people.

In 2014, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival moved from Newtown to its new and current venue, the Sandton Convention Centre.

The festival now attracts over 20 000 jazz and music enthusiasts at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The festival went on hiatus for 2 years during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 and returned to its full glory in 2022.

Artists

Over the years, many music stars have graced the stages of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz to include: the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra – JLCO (a 15-piece band made up of the finest soloists, ensemble players and arranger in the jazz music) with the internationally acclaimed musician, trumpeter, composer and bandleader Wynton Marsalis, Grammy Award winner Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider who graced the Dinaledi Stage. Other notable performers have included trumpeter Marcus Wyatt, guitarist Ernie Smith, pianist Robert Glasper, and vocalist Zoe Modiga. The festival has played tribute to jazz legends, such as guitarist Billy Monama honoring Allen Kwela, while The Hugh Masekela Band celebrated the late great trumpeter. Bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli presented a powerful tribute to jazz pioneer Johnny Dyani.