Some of the world's top jazz artists will be providing a musical mélange of sound at this not-to-be-missed jazz-travaganza. With its truly international line-up, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will incorporate all jazz styles - from Afro jazz and fusion to Latin rhythms, bebop and straight-ahead.

Artists from America, Japan, Norway, Spain, Israel, Germany and Holland will be joined by top performers from South Africa and Nigeria.

Giants of the jazz world include Japan's Keiko Matsui who recorded her last album Moyo in South Africa; the Original Superstars of Jazz Fusion featuring Roy Ayers, Tom Browne, Wayne Henderson and Lonnie Liston Smith; American saxophonist Joshua Redman; guitarist Doc Powell from the US; Israel's Avi Lebovich and the Israeli Jazz Orchestra; Spain's Sedajazz; Holland's Denise Jannah; Germany's Joy Denelane and Norway's Tord Gustavsen.

Performers from the African continent include South Africa's Abigail Kubheka, Pat Matshikiza, Mark Fransman, the 2008 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for jazz, Simphiwe Dana and Yvonne Chaka Chaka as well as Asa from Nigeria.

The Mbira Stage will showcase the opening night bill on Thursday, August 28, with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) paying tribute to The Union of South Africa, the band formed in the US in 1970 by Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa and Caiphus Semenya. Also on the opening night's programme is Keiko Matsui performing with the South African All Star Band and American saxophonist Jackiem Joyner.

Keiko Matsui is a Japanese smooth jazz/new age keyboardist and composer whose career spans three decades. During this time she has released 20 CDs and has received international acclaim. Matsui's music is powerful and introspective, blending both Western and Eastern musical influences. Her latest album Moyo features Gerald Albright and Paul Taylor on sax and South African trumpet legend Hugh Masekela, and when recording it in South Africa last year, she commented at the time: "I could feel the nature and the landscape and the culture of the people. All those thing affected me and I really got inspired."

Legendary Grammy nominated guitarist Doc Powell has built a legacy as a musical chameleon. Besides having a successful solo career, Doc has contributed to over 130 recordings of some of the premiere stars in R & B/pop/jazz and gospel including Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Ciara, Wycleff Jean, Vanessa Williams, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and John Legend.

Ever since saxophonist Joshua Redman burst onto the jazz scene in 1991, he has displayed the maturity and skill of a veteran, earning immediate recognition from critics and colleagues alike. One of the so-called "new emotionalists", Redman's work aims to convey a raw power rather than an intellectual experience: "Music doesn't come from music, music comes from life. That means taking walks, hanging out, going to parties, reading, playing sports ... the list is endless." Redman's approach has helped to popularise jazz to a wider audience. He is also the first jazz musician to have a clothes designer - Donna Karan - as a corporate sponsor.

The 2008 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz brings an array of quality jazz to satisfy all tastes across the jazz genre which should appeal to jazz lovers around the country. Commented Clement Motale, Director Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank: "Our continued support for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has seen this prominent social music fixture grow in stature each year, enjoyed by growing numbers of appreciative audiences who are treated to the best selection of jazz musicians. This year specifically, we are delighted to include so many South African artists on the bill. As a leading emerging market bank, operating in 18 African countries, it is important that our jazz sponsorship reflects the successful diversity of our business. We are looking forward to celebrating the rich and warm blend of African and international jazz in the heart of Johannesburg as its brings jazz lovers together in a truly united and global celebration of jazz and its heritage." This was echoed by T-Musicman's Peter Tladi who said: "As the festival promoter we spend a great deal of time searching for artists who will appeal to a broad base of music fans. We want to present a diverse range of jazz styles as well as the giants of jazz and the upcoming young lions. There is something for everyone with this year's line-up which is truly international and inspirational."

Undoubtedly the premier event on Johannesburg's jazz calendar, the 2008 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will take place at eight venues in the city's Newtown precinct.

The Dinaledi Stage - a new venue built especially for The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz - and the Mbira Stage will be erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, creating two purpose-built venues to showcase this year's stunning bill. Other venues include The Market Theatre, The Bassline, Dance Factory and Museum Afrika.

There is free entrance to the Newtown venues of Museum Afrika, Sophiatown and Nikki's Oasis where developmental and emerging bands are given the opportunity to gain experience and showcase their talent. In the line-up are the Central Johannesburg College, George Tabor School of Music, Music Academy of Gauteng and The Tshwane University of Technology's School of Music and bands from the Puisano Roving Jazz programme.

In the Joy of Jazz's continuing programme of growing and nurturing the genre, the Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners for Jazz Concorde Nkabinde (2006), Shannon Mowday (2007) and Mark Fransman (2008) will be joined by a number of the international artists in hosting workshops for local musicians.

For more information on the line-up, venues go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za.

The 2008 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is presented by Standard Bank and T-Musicman.

Visit the Computicket website at www.computicket.com for more information on tickets.