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Festival joy jazzes up Jozi

HEADLINE DIVE: Keiko Matsui during the Joy of Jazz Festival in Newtown, Johannesburg. Pic. Antonio Muchave. 28/08/2008. © Sowetan,
HEADLINE DIVE: Keiko Matsui during the Joy of Jazz Festival in Newtown, Johannesburg. Pic. Antonio Muchave. 28/08/2008. © Sowetan,

Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Jazzophiles in abundance attended the country's leading jazz festival, Joy of Jazz, which took place in Newtown and wound up on Saturday.

The festival kicked off on Thursday with Keiko Matsui, the headline act, starting the event on a high note.

Fans were spoilt for choice about which musical event to attend in Newtown because there were several venues to choose from.

Although the event had familiar faces who have performed before in this country such as Roy Ayers, who caused some controversy earlier during the week when he lambasted local journalists for their shallow understanding of jazz, and off course, Matsui, there were also some new surprises.

Asa from Nigeria wowed fans on Friday and Saturday, and so did Valerie Kimani from Kenya.

Local musicians also gave a good account of themselves. Among the local artists who performed alongside the international line-up were Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Lira, Ntsiki Mazwai and Ringo.

The three-day festival brought a buzz to Newtown wherever one went .

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