This year’s instalment of the Mzantsi Jazz Awards – the first one since the Covid-19 lockdown – will be held at the Soweto Theatre on Bolani Road in Jabulani. Featuring a stellar line-up of the cream of the crop of the jazz genre, the event is planned for Saturday, 27 August at 6pm.
Organisers say the Mzantsi Jazz Awards – also known as the South African Jazz Awards – are tailored to recognise the distinctive rhythms of the genre, celebrate, appreciate, and venerate jazz as a musical form that not only entertains but uplifts and heals the artist and the listener alike.
“We recognise the role of jazz music as a genre that deserves special attention in the evolving South African music industry. After two years of lockdowns and online awards, we are finally going to celebrate together in Soweto, which is undeniably Gauteng’s home of jazz that has brought us Jonas Gwangwa, Sibongile Khumalo, and Khaya Mahlangu, amongst many luminaries,” reads a media statement from the organisers.
Leading the nomination list is Melorie Jane and Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O, who have been nominated in four of the 10 categories, including nominations for best jazz album and song of the year. Other artists with multiple nominations include Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, Ronald Moses, Tanz Nero, and The Jazz Catz. The best jazz album and song of the year winners will be decided by a public vote.
The nominees and their voting codes are as follow:
Best Jazz Album
- Tanz Nero – Up to the Minute (BJ2)
- Melorie Jane – More or Less (BJ3)
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – Music from my People (BJ4)
- Roland Moses – Paths of Light (BJ5)
- Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O – Umdali (BJ6)
- The Jazz Catz – Con Fusion (BJ7)
Best Jazz Song
- Melorie Jane – Mr. Tswai (BS2)
- Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O – Ntate Gwangwa’s Stroll (BS5)
- Roland Moses – African Sun (BS4)
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – 1976 (BS3)
- Muneeb Hermans Quintet – One for HP (BS6)
- Kgethi Nkotsi – Dipopayi (BS9
The following are non-public vote categories:
Best Contemporary Jazz Album
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – Music from My People
- Tanz Nero – Up to the Minute
- Roland Moses – Paths of Light
- Melorie Jane – More or Less
- The Jazz Catz – Con Fusion
Best Traditional Jazz Album
- Mduduzi Magwaza – Siyabonga Njinji
- Mthobisi Mthalane – Mthobisi Mthalane Live at Playhouse
- Sandile Masilela – Mbazo Jazz
- Azah Mphago – Ngoma Dza Mapungubwe
- Cebo Ngema – Ulibo Lokuqala (First Fruit)
- Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O – Umdali
Best Male Jazz Artist
- Ndivhuho NL
- Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O
- Roland Moses
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane
- Tanz Nero
- Muneeb Hermans Quintet
Best Newcomer
- Timothy Ehrenreich
- Muneeb Hermans Quintet
- Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O
- Kgethi Nkotsi
- Sandile Masilela
- Melorie Jane
Best International Jazz Collaboration
- Nlite
- The Jazz Catz
As is the norm, the jazz awards will honour legends of the genre with a lifetime achievement gong.
The awards will also appreciate and recognise the medium that helps jazz music reach its audience, and three radio stations are nominated for best jazz airplay:
- Kofifi FM 97.2 (BR1)
- Vibe FM 94.7 (BR2)
- Thetha FM 100.6 (BR3)
Jazz lovers can use the voting code to endorse their favourite artists in the public vote categories, including Best Jazz Album, Best Jazz Song, Best International Jazz Artist, and Best Radio Station playing jazz.
To vote, send a text message to 40439 with the nominee’s code (i.e., ZaJazz BA3). Tickets for the event cost R200 and are available at www.zajazzawards.co.za.
Written by Dakalo Ramudidibi
25/08/2022