Jazz legend Selaelo Selota will headline the first annual Eastern Cape Jazz Festival later this year.
The three-day event is expected to enthrall jazz lovers in East London in September, with provincial jazz artists such as Lulama Gawulana and Retsi Pule on the billing.
Selota said festinos would be taken on a musical journey when he takes to the stage.
“Eastern Cape jazz fans can expect to be transported through the South African jazz landscape, with acknowledgement, tribute and admiration expressed through my performance,” Selota said.
He is known for the unapologetic use of his mother tongue, Sepedi, in his song writing.
“Language serves as a basis for the melodies that are found within the Sepedi speaking language. But from the very beginning of my musical career I’ve used mostly Sepedi, Xhosa and Zulu since I found similarities in other South African languages,” he said.
The Thrrr…Phaaa! hitmaker said: “Music itself is the universal language. It is not controlled by linguistic barriers.
“To express music using your own mother tongue is just a way of informing the public or the listener about your roots or where you come from.
“But as a national artist you have to be conscious that your representation cuts across the national spectrum,” he said.
The platinum-selling jazz maestro has serenaded music lovers with albums such as Painted Faces and Enchanted Gardens for years.
The iconic singer and guitarist said he could not wait to connect with the people from the home of legends.
“SA has a long list of jazz legends: Abdullah Ibrahim, Mongezi Feza, Phillip Tabane, Barney Rachabane, Johny Mekoa, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Johnny Gertz, Chris McGregor and Hugh Masekela are just some.
“All these artists have displayed a national musical voice that is influenced by broader South African musical nuances. Being part of the Eastern Cape Jazz Festival means that there is hope that I am part of the contribution,” Selota said.
The jazz binge will begin with a memorial lecture at the East London City Hall.
The next day will be the main jazz event at the Abbotsford Christian Centre, and a golf day will be hosted to wind down the festivities on day three.
Event organisers say the festival would be a celebration that aimed to embrace and revive jazz culture in the province.
Mlitha Events Group director Mlindi Ntloko said: “This concept came about three years ago.
“I have always attended events like the Cape Town Jazz Festival and realised that Eastern Cape jazz lovers were being starved of a fashionable and pure jazz event that upholds the standards of these national events.”..