Jazzanova headed back to SA for DRUMBEAT

You may remember that the German outfit Jazzanova were in the country for Cape Town International Jazz Festival last year. They were among the artists I wanted to see perform live, but unfortunately I ended up not going. I still repeatedly play the album that introduced me to their unique sound entitled Of All The Things. I’m overly excited, and I’m sure many others feel the same, to know that Jazzanova are returning to the country to perform at the Drumbeat Festival taking place at the beginning of next month.

The line up for the festival was already sizzling with names like Sibongile Khumalo, Stimela and Zakes Bantwini having been added on the bill. Here are more details about the festival and the artists performing in the two day music extravaganza.

The German band Jazzanova.

DRUMBEAT, presented by Toyota and DRUM Magazine in association with Hilltop Live, Amstel Lager, Birchwood Hotel, White Star Super Maize Meal, Mzansi Magic and the City of Ekurhuleni, is proud to announce the arrival German collective Jazzanova featuring Paul Randolph and their performance at this year’s DRUMBEAT festival.

The eclectic collective have tested musical boundaries, through composing, arranging and performing to massive crowds, for more than 15 years, with their potent mixture of soul, jazz, and electronic music genres. Accompanied by a nine-piece band, they recently embarked on an international tour spanning almost all the continents and included a performance at last year’s Cape Town Jazz Festival. The collective has now released their latest album, The Funkhouse Studio Sessions, which has been met with critical acclaim.

They are due to grace South African shores once more, in an exclusive, once-off performance at this year’s DRUMBEAT festival, presented by Toyota.

This year, Toyota will be presenting DRUMBEAT at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni. The event will be running on 1 and 2 June, 2012.

Catch Jazzanova featuring Paul Randolph and a host of proudly South African artists including Sibongile Khumalo, Mi Casa, Stimela, Zakes Bantwini and many more performing live on 2 June on the main stage at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre.

Tickets cost R400 for Friday (1 stage), which includes cocktail snacks and drinks to the value of R150. Saturday tickets cost R250 (3 stages) for entry only and all tickets are available at ticketbreak.co.za

** Two-day tickets are not available.

I missed Jazzanova last year. And I recently missed Mam’ Sibongile Khumalo‘s celebration of two decades of song. Therefore, I cannot missed themon the same bill. Be sure to join me. Get your tickets now!

Paul Rundolph