In 2013, the Festival is proud to introduce a new Jazz Festival venue – the Standard Bank Jazz & Blues Cafe at the Lowlander, St. Andrew’s College. The venue will offer a great jazz show at 21.30, with a 23.30 Jazz Jam session or late-night blues gig where audiences can catch musicians letting off steam and butting musical heads late into the night, every night.

The opening act features a collaboration between some of the hippest young jazz musicians in the country: Neil Engel (trumpet), Nduduzo Makhathini (piano), Romy Brauteseth (bass), Ayanda Sikade (drums).

Cape Town saxophonist Dan Shout has just released his second album, fresh from a stint of international touring in Johnny Clegg’s band. He appears with Gorm Helfjord (guitar), Romy Brauteseth (bass), and Jonno Sweetman (drums).

An exciting young funk band from Amsterdam – Bruut! – features Maarten Hogenhuis (sax), Folkert Oosterbeeck (Hammond organ), Thomas Rolff (bass), Felix Schlarmann (drums).

Lee Thomson is an innovative young trumpeter from Cape Town who plays in a wide variety of musical styles. He takes to the stage with Nduduzo Makhathini (piano), Gorm Helfjord (guitar), Nick Williams (bass), Lloyd Martin (drums).

From Rhini, Grahamstown, comes Imbaula – a band in the genuine South African jazz tradition – Julius Moyake (sax), Moses Kade (trombone), Lee Gary Sias (guitar), Leslie Demaary (guitar), Michael Smith (bass), Ben Dlukulu (drums).

Four jazz lecturers from Rhodes University form a quartet under saxophonist Rick van Heerden. He is joined by Nishlyn Ramanna (piano), Kingsley Buitendag (bass), and Steve Ellis (drums).

The Lowlander will also provide a home to nightly Jazz Jams, or Late-night Blues with Robin Auld, Albert Frost & Friends, at 23.30; and is bound to play host to a multitude of spontaneous surprises.

The 39^th edition of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will take place from 27 June to 7 July 2013.

For more information check www.standardbankarts.co.za or www.youthjazz.co.za

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is presented with support funding from:

Institut Français, the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française

Paul Bothner Music

ProHelvetia

Royal Netherlands Embassy

Royal Norwegian Embassy

SAMRO

Swedish Arts Council / Swedish Jazz Federation / Mary Lou Meese Youth Jazz Fund

Jamey Aebersold Jazz

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M Net.

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