Date: 25-26 July 2008

Venue: Emperors Palace, Kempton Park

Postponed to November 2008

Background:

A concept that presents musicians in a different setting - not in standard format of their usual performance - with emphasis on historic themes and the sharing of a stage by more than one prominent local artist at a time. It is a collaboration of African, South African and international musicians who have pitched themselves as ambassadors of African Arts & Culture. Each one of the prominent visiting musicians will be performing with the South Africa’s Big Band in collaborative performance on a pre-rehearsed set. Here, the visiting musicians are not imported or billed as a full outfit with a backing band/s, but as headline musicians only.

This prestigious event, which will kick-off with the Gala Dinner, will be staged every year at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park during the winter season, and known as “Melodi International Jazz Collaborations’. This event will showcase two of South Africa’s high profile musicians in a collaborative performance with the visiting international artists/bands. This international live music celebration event is aimed at establishing an irrefutable world-class jazz in the hearts and minds of the public, enhancing arts and culture thus preserving our heritage.

Note: The programme will further be enhanced later in the years by the inclusion of a Craft/Business Exhibition, Dance and Film Summit, which could be a four (4) day feast.

Artist line-up for 25 & 26 July 2008

• Yusef Lateef (USA) - 32 piece band
• Pascoal Meirelles (Brazil) - quartet
• Ladies in Song; featuring Vicky Sampson, Thandiswa Mazwai, Tutu Puane and Wanda Baloyi with a rhythm band.
• Sponsorship
• Corporate Hospitality

Melodi International Jazz Collaborations 2008

Melodi International Jazz Collaborations 2008 will present top local and international jazz artists at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on Sat 25 - 26 July 2008.

Developed and staged by Jazz Foundation of South Africa (JFSA), Melodi International Jazz Collaborations 2008 will feature top international acts - Yusef Lateef (USA) and Pascoal Meirelles (Brazil). The crème of South Africa's jazz set will br confirmed in due course and is envisaged to include some of SA's top women divas and female accompanists, such as Vicky Sampson, Tutu Puoane, Wanda Baloyi and Thandiswa Mazwai. All the headline artists are supported by a South African big band of accomplished musicians.

“ This is the fourth time that Melodi is being staged and each year the event grows in both local and international stature. The event features the absolute best in jazz talent and guests are blown away by the incredible repertoire between local and international musicians, the ability of the artists to merge and collaborate their styles effortlessly as well as the enormous jazz talent South Africa holds,” says Oupa Salemane, CEO and founding member of the Jazz Foundation of South Africa.

A strongpoint of Melodi is its’ star-studded female cast of divas which forms part of the Foundation’s mission to further the profile of South Africa’s leading jazz ladies both on the local and international music scene. Melodi International Jazz Collaborations is one of six events organised by the Jazz Foundation, each distinctly complex and visionary in nature presenting a musical mix never seen before in this country. “As a foundation we focus on collaborative performances of local and international musicians whereby artists - particularly international - are invited in their individual capacities to perform with South Africa’s top musicians as opposed to focussing on fully imported outfits that include the backing band and singers. The JFSA has designed its events on this concept with the implicit purpose of encouraging skills transfer amongst the local and international musicians as well as exposing international artists to South Africa’s own unique style of jazz to give it a global platform to grow from. Our challenge is to grow the relationships and connections between SA and foreign artists because as far as jazz is concerned there are strong common bonds. In addition, we need to provide our young jazz musicians with an opportunity to learn from the veterans, not only the music, but the rich cultural history that underpins South African jazz,” explains Oupa.

The Melodi 2008 line-up is as follows:

• Yusef Lateef (USA)
• Pascoal Meirelles (Brazil)
• Ladies in Song featuring Vicky Sampson, Thandiswa Mazwai. Tutu Puoane and Wanda Baloyi

“ The four hour long concert will not only highlight the individualistic artistry, but the ability of collaboration and sharing the stage in one voice and performance and will be characterized by production standards that equal the expectations of the jazz fraternity,” adds Oupa. Melodi is positioned as the new benchmark of professional live music presentation in South Africa. The event will assume an international (35%) flavour with (65%) local artists and artists from the African Diaspora. The event will undoubtedly, become part of the cultural heritage landscape in South Africa.

Bookings open at Computicket.

Enquiries contact Jazz Foundation on 011 333-6653

Lineups From Previous Performances

2004
Miriam Makeba
Bhudaza (Lesotho)
Carlos Malta (Brazil)
Hugh Masekela

2005
Bob Mintzer (USA)
The Divas
Sibongile Khumalo
Thandie Klaasen
Sylvia Mdunyelwa
Abigail Kubeka
Gloria Bosman
Dorothy Masuka

2006
Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA)
Back to the Basics featuring:
Hugh Masekela
Zamajobe
Corlea Botha
Judith Sephuma
Carlos Malta (Brazil)
Ann-Hampton Callaway (USA)

2007
Pharoah Sanders
Ramon Valle
Ladies in Song
Simphiwe Dana
The Mahotella Queens
Natascha Roth
Lira