World On Press
Ian Jindela
Photo by Gery Van Dyk
The G’town Jazz fest hosted by Standard Bank hits a high note. South Africa’s leading jazz and revolutionary Opera vocalist Sibongile khumalo along the Grammy Award winner and pianist Danilo Perez cross cultural performance last night kept the jazz lovers warm. The all five musicians piece consummate professionals with great international reputation. South Africa’s great instrumentalists Shannon Mowday on Saxophone, Victor Masondo on Bass guitar and on drums Clement Benny. Sibongile Khumalo ‘s interpretation of “The Prayer” by Perez introduced the show and saw her gifted spiritual voice from a soft tone to a high note, the audience set back and beleaguered. Her introductory lines could not be measured by the vocal giant opening tune.
Sibongile brings her charisma again in the song titled “Inner Peace” with Shannon Mowday on Saxophone. The improvisation mid tempo tunes with Victor Masondo on Bass guitar later kept the audience swinging heads on. Her essence of love on vocals came out in honor of the late Princess Magogo DiniZulu who was the great only female composer of all times. She interpreted the words in song titled “Ngibambe, Ngibambe” Hold me. Her spirituality comes up again as she steps out into a realm of soulfull deep vocal jazz with her instrumental vivid voice. A cry for the new beginning, Sibongile Khumalo’s voice sounds up on the African mountain. She elects her tone in a song with a flow of peace and harmony. The audience witnessed Perez bringing back Moses Taiwa Molelekwa’s composition “Mountain Shade” with his unique poly cadenced sample. The humbled Perez crosses borders with Sibongile Khumalo on a political journey song titled-Kobia with the sound of army. In the song Julias Malema meets with Sir George Bush on the musical keys highly lifted by Sibongile’s vocals. If jazz music is ceaselessly, it will keep you jovial all the time. The G’town Jazz Fest runs until 03 July.
