Heritage Day masterclass for youth

Ano Shumba

US jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will host a masterclass for young people at Walter Sisulu Square in Soweto on 24 September.

  The workshop will be held ahead of his Standard Bank Joy of Jazz performances at Sandton Convention Centre on 26, 27 and 28 September.

  Grammy winner Marsalis will be with his 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) at the workshop.

  Invited schools and ensembles include the Music Academy of Gauteng, Morris Issacson Music Centre, Tshwane School of Music, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company, Thaba Jabula Secondary School, Central Joburg College and the Wits School of Arts.

  “This Heritage Day the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will host a show for young people from different music schools and backgrounds. JLCO with Wynton Marsalis will present an interactive performance and interactive lessons for Gauteng youth,” Joy of Jazz organisers said.

  Marsalis’ trip to Soweto is part of his Jazz for Young People concert series, which employ warmth and humour to introduce key musical concepts and other jazz fundamentals. The series are offered each year, specifically for school groups visiting the Lincoln Centre in New York.

  Joy of Jazz producer Mantwa Chinoamadi said: “We are inviting schools and young people to register to be part of this ground-breaking workshop and get to experience the legendary Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra live sharing knowledge on music. This is a rare opportunity, and we would like to thank Marsalis for availing himself for this before their three performances at the main festival to interact and engage with our youth. The registration process has begun and we would like to encourage everyone to go to our website and be a part of history.”

  Interested individuals can visit http://www.joyofjazz.co.za.