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Will Joy of Jazz be the same?

Dianne Reeves at Monte Casino Picture: Sowetan
Dianne Reeves at Monte Casino Picture: Sowetan

LOVERS of jazz music in Joburg would have heard by now about the exciting Joy of Jazz lineup.

It was revealed last week at the new hip jazz club The Orbit in Braamfontein, and judging by the audience response, it gets both thumbs up.

But while the lineup gets the nod from appreciators of the art form, the question is: Will the event be the same now that it is moving from its spiritual home of the past 13 years, the Newtown Precinct, to the Sandton Convention Centre?

Event founder and producer Peter Tladi reckons so.

He points out, though, that "the decision didn't come easy, but it had to be made. It was forced by the circumstances of evolution".

These "circumstances of evolution" include the growing number of festivalgoers and the uncontrollable forces of Mother Nature.

Tladi cites the cold weather as being a major reason for the move.

The weekend event has also been moved from August to September.

The music promoter says signs of change started emerging a few years ago.

In 2010 suppliers gave feedback warning him that the number of people coming to the precinct would mean giving special attention to the erection of the tents.

"We had to focus a lot on safety issues, and by that I don't mean just the personnel," says Tladi.

The temporary structures needed to comply with safety measures such as fire prevention because of possible overcrowding .

And given that the structures were temporary, this meant escalation of costs. The costs of erecting the structures were "getting out of control", Tladi says, estimating it to run into millions.

Two years ago, for the first time, they had to erect a two-floor tent, proving that things were starting to get tricky.

Still, you have to admit that something will be lost. The vibrant Newtown area was central to the identity of the festival. The historic makeup of the precinct added to the richness of the event.

It's surrounded by the Market Theatre, Turbine Hall, Workers' Library, Bassline, and popular restaurants Sophiatown, Ko S'potong and Niki's Oasis.

The event was like a large night market - walking from one concert venue to another, you were met by the smell of boerewors on a hot greasy grill and vendors selling T-shirts, CDs, airtime, cigarettes and other items.

The Market Theatre always provided one of the stages for the event.

Niki's Oasis served as the development stage. Owner Niki Rwaxa says she's saddened by the move.

"When people come to Newtown, they come here for the cultural aspect; it offers something different in terms of jazz. And jazz being associated with culture, this place is good."

But Rwaxa adds that as a businesswoman, she understands that some business decisions need to be taken even though they may not be favoured by everybody.

The Market Theatre's artistic director, James Ngcobo, prefers to look at the situation as half full rather than half empty.

"It's sad to lose them, but as we're [also] trying to grow, we must find new ways [to attract audiences] for that week."

Ngcobo hopes that the theatre will offer a week of dance to diversify the cultural programming for that weekend.

Brad Holmes, the owner of Bassline, says that while Newtown will not be the same without the festival, diversifying is part of the game. "We'll miss this festival hugely. It was my favourite festival that came through Bassline, but festivals grow and organisers are always looking at ways to improve their festivals. I think the Sandton Convention Centre has more to offer as far as tickets sales go, and better logistical services," he says.

And so for the next five years Joy of Jazz will make the convention centre its home.

Tladi says the energy will still be the same. "That place hasn't had something like Joy of Jazz and it needs it."