Herbie Tsoaeli on his Standard Bank Joy of Jazz performance: ‘I will be paying tribute to the masters that came before us’

10 August 2023 - 06:00
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Herbie Tsoaeli said people who know his music will go to the festival to experience a shared healing with him.
Herbie Tsoaeli said people who know his music will go to the festival to experience a shared healing with him.
Image: Picture by Lindo Mbhele: Sourced from Herbie Tsoaeli's Instagram

Legendary bassist Herbie Tsoaeli says he grew up in spaces where music was in abundance, and to be able to share that with people at the next Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is an honour. 

Hosted in association with TimesLIVE and Sowetan, the 2023 edition takes place at the Sandton International Convention Centre on September 29 and 30.

He is set present a project in tribute to the late South African legendary vocalist and pianist, Johnny Mbizo Dyani

He tells TshisaLIVE that people need to go (to the festival) and experiment as well as see the exploration of creativity he would be sharing on the night. 

“People must just come because I will be paying tribute to the masters that came before us bo Ntate Johnny, Dr Bheki Mseleku and Ntate Winston Mankunku. That’s the kind of programme I’ve been working on for years to pay my homage to these great statesmen of this country. There is greatness in SA in all spheres we have Biko, all these great writers. So it interconnects with all of that, the music should take you to those levels when music is played.”

International artists headlining the festival are Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider and US pianist Robert Glasper who will perform along with SA artists at the festival’s three stages — Dinaledi, Conga and Mbira.

“I’m honoured to be invited by Joy of Jazz, Ntate Peter Tladi and Mme Montoa, it is very special to me that they thought of me as well, because most of the jazz festivals I’m not there, there can be many festivals but you will never see Ntate Tsoaeli in the line-up but there is jazz all over the country.”

Herbie said whenever he is asked what fans can expect, he never knows how to answer. Likening it to watching boxing and when they would ask the boxer what round do you think you are going to reach second or third he said with him the round is rounded.

“I don’t know what can they expect, but people who know this music will come and heal as it healed me because of this shared beautiful complexity. Its just a statement for power and human creativity kind of thing with boundless opportunities for artistic creativity.”



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