“Umtiza Jazz Ensemble is a fitting tribute to Jazz Heritage in the home of legends and South Africa at large.
An invitational Ensemble fostering an intergenerational and intergeographical dialogue through the jazz idom,
this concert is carefully tailored for the jazz enthusiast. It celebrates the South African Jazz Real Book (Vol. 1), Jika”, a collection of leadsheets covering 116 compositions by 86 South African composers.
The book, fondly named “Jika” after an album of Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, was put together over several years by two Cape musicians, educators and band leaders, namely trombonist Jannie “Hanepoot” van Tonder and pianist George Werner, who have both shared the stage with many of the musicians whose work is included. The book will also be featured on the Umtiza Books and Press Fair which will run at the EL Museum on Thursday and Friday in partnership with the South African Cultural Observatory. Umtiza Arts fest is delighted to welcome pianist to George Werner from Cape Town to work with the Ensemble and conduct a jazz workshop for local youth and artists. The selection of tunes will foreground the work of composers from the home of legends. Be sure to catch this concert which is a true celebration of our Jazz Heritage and the Umtiza way of celebrating Africa Day 2022.

Conductor and Editor: George Werner
Piano: Vuyo Mjindi
Bass: Zuko Yigi
Drums Clement Cyril Benny.
Trumpet: Sakhile Simani
Trumpet: Dave Matshini
Saxophone: Neteske Horten
Saxophone: Lefa Mosea
Trombone: Siya Jazzmatic Charles
Voice: Retsi Pule
Voice: Asandiswa George

Tickets Available from www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite and Checkers outlets for R120 per person.
Covid restrictions apply.