The UJ Weekend of Jazz is set to return taking place from 29-31 August 2024 at the UJ Art Centre, showcasing the remarkable talents of three leading voices in South African jazz: trumpeter and composer Mandla Mlangeni, vocalist and songwriter Gabi Motuba, and pianist and composer Keenan Meyer. This gathering of artists represents a rich blend of contemporary jazz, each bringing a distinct and profound approach to the genre.
Mandla Mlangeni, a recent recipient of the Metro FM Award for Best Jazz Album of the Year, is known for his innovative compositions and powerful performances. His work with the Tune Recreation Committee (TRC), a Cape Town-based ensemble, continues to push the boundaries of jazz by blending traditional influences with modern elements. The group’s upcoming performance, featuring selections from their third studio album, The Future Is Now, will not only reintroduce audiences to their evolving sound but will also pay homage to the jazz greats who have shaped their musical journey.
Reflecting on his work, Mlangeni notes, “We sought to integrate the influences of those who came before us, like Moses Molelekwa and Hugh Masekela, combining these with the jazz tradition in America and our own cultural experiences.” This synthesis of past and present creates a dynamic soundscape that both honors and reinvents the jazz tradition.
Gabi Motuba, a celebrated figure in South African jazz, brings her emotive vocal style and deeply personal songwriting to the forefront with the launch of her new album, The Sabbath. Motuba’s work is known for its emotional depth and its ability to convey complex feelings through music. The Sabbath is particularly poignant, as it is a tribute to her late father, exploring themes of loss, grief, and healing.
“The Sabbath is a deeply personal project,” says Motuba. “The songs are lamentations, reflecting on the experience of grief. It’s a project that resonates deeply with me, and I hope it will do the same for those who listen.” Through her music, Motuba creates a space for listeners to connect with their own experiences of loss, offering both solace and a sense of shared understanding.
Keenan Meyer, UJ’s Artist in Residence for 2024, continues to captivate audiences with his innovative compositions and reflective performances. His new EP, Reawakening, created during his residency, delves into the theme of protest—exploring what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like, and considering its impact on both personal and collective levels. Meyer’s work is not just about music; it is a commentary on society, using sound as a medium to explore and express complex social realities.
“The central theme of Reawakening is protest—its sound, its feeling, and its lasting effects on us as individuals and as a society,” Meyer explains. This exploration of protest through music adds a powerful dimension to his work, inviting audiences to engage with the themes of resistance and resilience.
In addition to Reawakening, Meyer and his ensemble will perform pieces from his debut album, The Alchemy of Living, which continues to explore themes of transformation and the human experience.
The UJ Weekend of Jazz not only offers a platform for these artists to showcase their work but also invites audiences to immerse themselves in the rich and evolving world of South African jazz. Through their performances, Mlangeni, Motuba, and Meyer continue to push the boundaries of the genre, creating music that is both reflective and forward-looking, deeply personal yet universally resonant.
*Tickets are now available at: https://tinyurl.com/UJWeekendofJazz
