NYO Jazz will make its inaugural appearances in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town during its groundbreaking visit to South Africa. This marks the premier occasion where one of Carnegie Hall’s esteemed national youth ensembles will showcase their talent on the African continent.
Photo: Jennifer Taylor Photography
The tour follows NYO Jazz’s triumphant performances at renowned concert venues and music festivals in Europe, Asia, and the United States. South Africa’s Jazz enthusiasts are in for a treat as they are set to experience the top-notch young American musical talent in July and August. This event will showcase some of the finest young musicians from the USA, alongside talented local artists.
On August 2nd and 3rd, the NYO Jazz will showcase their talent at the renowned Artscape in Cape Town. The performance will highlight Muneeb Hermans on the trumpet. The program will feature a fresh composition by Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane from South Africa, along with timeless big band hits by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Mary Lou Williams, as well as new arrangements. This event is presented by Carnegie Hall in collaboration with Artscape, with the tour organized by Arte Viva Management.
The band announced: “Hear the brand-new lineup of NYO Jazz—Carnegie Hall’s evolving big band of top young jazz musicians from across the United States—as they perform under the leadership of trumpet great Sean Jones. The band has worked with some of today’s finest professional vocalists over the past couple years (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jazzmeia Horn), and this season, it welcomes multi-genre singer and bandleader Alicia Olatuja to the mix. “You could be pretty confident you were hearing some stars of tomorrow,” wrote London’s The Times following a 2023 performance by NYO Jazz at Royal Albert Hall. As the ensemble’s profile continues to grow, it becomes even more exciting to hear its latest accomplishments. From Duke Ellington to Thelonious Monk and Mary Lou Williams, to new arrangements and a Carnegie Hall-commissioned work by South African composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, NYO Jazz showcases jazz as a living and limitless art form”.
Performers
NYO Jazz
Sean Jones, Artistic Director, Bandleader, and Trumpet
Special Guest
Alicia Olatuja, Vocals
Featuring
Muneeb Hermans, Trumpet
Program
SIBUSISO MASH MASHILOANE ISIGQI SUITE (World Premiere, commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
BENJAMIN “Trane” (arr. Jhoely Garay, commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
MANDEL / WEBSTER “A Time for Love” (arr. Todd Bashore)
FRANK FOSTER “Shiny Stockings”
THELONIUS MONK “Evidence” (arr. John Clayton)
WILLIAMS “New Musical Express”
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE “The Shade of the Cedar Tree”
BILLY CHILDS “Rejoice”
ELLINGTON “Chinoiserie”
ELLINGTON Theme from The Asphalt Jungle
MASEKELA “Dollar’s Moods” (arr. Steven Feifke)
MASEKELA “Grazing in the Grass” (arr. Steven Feifke)
BOFILL “Under the Moon and Over the Sky” (arr. Michael Olatuja; adapt. Jim Pugh)
CHAPMAN “Give Me One Reason” (arr. Etienne Charles)
ARLEN / HARBURG “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (arr. Kyle Athayde)
MITCHELL “Both Sides Now” (arr. Kyle Athayde)
NYRO “The Confession” (arr. Billy Childs; orch. Jim McNeely)
MCHUGH / FIELDS “On the Sunny Side of the Street” (arr. Todd Bashore)
ALICIA OLATUJA / MICHAEL OLATUJA “Kadara” (arr. Etienne Charles)
WYCLIFFE GORDON “We’re Still Here / He’s Alright”
Tickets are available: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1547270611