Imagine, 350 journalists from all over the world and 40 celebrity music acts, such as Earth Wind &Fire and Youssou N'Dour, attending a festival that brands itself "Africa's Grandest Gathering". Taking on a project like this: Media Relations for the 12th Cape Town International Jazz Festival that took place on March 25-26 2011, seemed a daunting task. We were called on stage late in the process, and began our work in mid December, before our contract was even signed. Announcing 50% of the line-up for the Jazz Festival, a first press conference took place in Cape Town mid January, and a second press conference was held in Johannesburg mid February, announcing the other 50% of the artists to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

When espAfrika, founder and organiser of this lifestyle festival, first communicated the line-up of the 12th Cape Town International Jazz Festival, there was great awe amongst the journalists as Wayne Shorter was to perform. For the jazzlovers I wouldn't have to explain who he is, veteran saxophonist, legend in his genre of Jazz and if you believe Grammy Award winning Esperanza Spalding, "voice of music in any genre". However for anybody that's not a jazz lover nor music fundi and consumes popular music, it shall be a stretch for them to know who Wayne Shorter is. So there was a good deal of biography reading that this full service communications company, Chatroom, had to do to understand what it is about an artist biography that was going to be a relevant story angle. Evan Milton, who is a journalist that knows his music artists, interviewed Wayne Shorter and said that it was the best interview of his life. He writes in his articles that, "A music interview often begins by referencing musicians the subjects has played with and Wayne Shorter, however, is the kind of living legend that other artists reference." From this interview you get a good idea of the versatility and depth of how music artists interpret their work – often, there will be philosophical meaning or political messages that they portray, so there is a lot to learn and story angles to derive from any of these artists. Roshnie Moonsamy, Director of the Urban Voices International Arts Festival who participated in Gwen Ansell's arts journalism course, said to me at the Media Centre that it was so important for these musicians to name their band members who will be performing with them as it will give an experienced music journalist an idea of what angle the music will take.

Today it is Africa's grandest gathering with close to 350 media accreditations issued for press from all over the globe and a further 100 accreditations that were refused because of limited space. Previous accreditation processes, which did not include formal structures, had to be changed to an impartial system. During the process of implementation a team of 2-5 people from Chatroom and espAfrika were continuously assisting journalists as they had to write a motivation and provide an editor's commissioning letter for the work that they were going to complete before, during and after the festival. Furthermore, we were continuously feeding information to the IT providers in order to improve the system and make it even more user-friendly to the journalists. In the coming year, this system will be optimised to allow a smooth process for both sides. Accreditation of course, was restricted to working journalists. The list of 350 privileged journalists to receive accreditation for the festival would be permitted access to one-on-one interviews with the artists at the press conferences at the Pepper Club, as well as access to the media centre and the so-called media pits in front of the stages, open to photographers and videographers at the festival itself. There had to be some criteria in order to fill the 350 limited places. Therefore we developed a quota that would allow both international, African and South African media to have access to the festival. Furthermore, there had to be a quota for TV, radio, print and online in order to have a balance of media present. This led to many an online journalist or blogger having to be declined, not because they weren't as important, but because there were just so many that applied for accreditation proportionally.

Coveted, the one-on-one interviews with artists and approximately 20 press conferences, had to be scheduled to take place on the day before the festival and the two festival days. To a large extent, we were accommodating artist requests. Most artists do not like to have a press conference or interviews on the day of their performance and one-on-one interviews had to be scheduled after a press conference of an artist. Then there were travel schedules to be considered, that kept changing. Imagine having to attend a press conference when you are jet-lagged. A combination of artist requests and espAfrika strategic guidelines on media to receive pre-scheduled interviews had led to a detailed interview schedule being set up for all artists. Journalists sent wish lists of artists to interview and we allocated artist interviews to media requests as per artist and espAfrika brief. Approx. 700 interview wishes had to be allocated to 40 music acts and a max. of 160 interview spots with some well-known artists only allowing for a max. of 2 interviews. However when it came to the first day of press conferences and our first artist arriving almost 45 min. late for their press conference, it became clear that a lot of re-scheduling was going to take place on our feet. Artists weren't feeling well, were jet-lagged, decided to look after their well-being or do some sight-seeing, rather than attending their scheduled press conference, and who could deny them in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town. Of course artist PR agents, or artists themselves had been informed about their media interactions, however, let's consider this: they are artists and what they are all about is being focused on their respective shows, being creative and wooing audiences. All in all, over 3 days, 19 press conferences were held and 166 one-on-one interviews facilitated.

Have you ever been in a "pit"? This was quite an experience. 50 photographers and videographers descending on one show, as it turned out to be with the very well-known acts such as Earth Wind and Fire and Youssou N'Dour. Now, photographers are only allowed to take pictures during the first 15 minutes of a show and videographers are on strict rules of "2 minutes up, 3 minutes down", following a sequence of max. 3 rounds. This had to be monitored, because it is one of the crucial legal aspects for the event organiser to be adhering to all music rights agreed upon with artists. Somebody filming a whole song of any of the artists and putting it up on YouTube, would land the event organiser in court. There were 6 stages during the two festival days with non-stop performances to be monitored, so it was great to have many a volunteer media student on board that helped and held their own telling off one or the other journalist. However, mostly, the rules were adhered to by journalists.

The results? Many a media story, including the covers of Tonight by Therese Owen, The Next 48 Hours by Naushad Kahn and 021 Cape, TV footage shown on eTV, CNN and Reuters as well as several pages of editorial in BBQ, Wanted and Opulent Living, it was great fun seeing the results of all the hard work. Also, many international articles and footage were received, including the largest radio station in Kenya, Capital FM, eBotswana and several German radio stations. Some of the international media who gave more in-depth coverage of the festival included the CTV (Chinese TV), covering their local talent Hanjin and Voice of America who followed the 2011 Festival from the first artist's announcement until completion.

As part of their pre-event programme, espAfrika hosts a range of workshops and performances in the run up to this year’s 12^th Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

These workshops, hosted jointly with various organisations, focus around music development and job creation within underdeveloped communities.

Kicking off the festivities on 19 March is “Gigs for Kids”, an interactive performance at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre between 2-4pm. Invitations to participate in “Gigs for Kids” are extended to charities, social development forums and various pre and primary schools and is also open to the public. Here children are introduced to the fun aspects of music while exploring the magical world of music and sound.

Next up is the Arts & Culture Focus Schools “Youth Rocks Jazz” mini-fest on 21 March. The mini-fest is the culmination of a series of development and training workshops hosted by the Western Cape Education Department in partnership with the South African Arts and Culture Trust (SAACT) for music students and potential events production candidates. These workshops started early last month and were held with learners from ten schools within the Western Cape, aiming to educate them on the planning and co-ordination of the concert called “Youth Rocks Jazz”. The musician entrusted as musical and artistic director to facilitate the music training sessions, is saxophonist, Donveno Prins. The Technical course and training sessions will be facilitated by reputable music and events industry personnel. This year, the workshop schedule is extremely exciting as there are opportunities for students and teachers to interact with officials from the prestigious Berklee University School of Music. The concert will be held at the Western Cape Education Department Sports Complex.  The focus of these workshops is music development and job creation by equipping the youth with skills to be used in the music and events industry.

The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) Gugulethu Development project presents an interactive music and skills development workshop on 24 March for 150 Cape Flats learners. The workshop taking place at the FAWU headquarters in Gugulethu will focus on the basics of jazz, as well as enhancing skill levels and opportunities for performers and aspiring performers. Trainers will include a team from the Berklee University School of Music as well as musicians participating in the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Berklee will also be affording one young aspiring musician with an amazing opportunity to attend a five-month advanced course at the university in Boston, USA.

Following its success last year, espAfrika and FAWU have agreed to partner over the next three years to host community jazz workshops that coincide with the Jazz Festival each year to aid in cultural development in underdeveloped communities. This forms part of espAfrika’s commitment to music and community development.

Festival director, Rashid Lombard expresses, “It is with great excitement and pride that the festival presents these workshops as part of the 2011 Training and Development programme. The participation in the programme by the well renowned Berklee College of Music is a huge accolade to the festival and allows musicians and participants access to skills and international exposure through this recognised institution”.

For detailed information on Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2011 Training & Development, workshops programme and registrations, visit: ww.capetownjazzfest.com.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into an enormously successful international event since its inception in 2000.  As it celebrates its 12th anniversary in 2011, Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No. 4 in the world, outshining events such as Montreaux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. With more than 34,000 in attendance and more than 40 international and local artists to perform over two days on five stages, Cape Town International Jazz Festival has earned the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place on 25 and 26 March 2011. Details can be obtained at www.capetownjazzfest.com, or by calling the festival hotline on 021 422 5653. Tickets are available from Computicket and Shoprite Checkers stores.

The gold sponsors for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2011: Department of Arts and Culture, Ritek Investments and Mzansi Magic, (channel 107 on DSTV) the broadcast sponsor. Other sponsors include Provincial Government of the Western Cape, The City of Cape Town, Hansa Pilsner, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Cape Town Partnership, SA Tourism, Polo, the Western Cape Education Department and the Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and Spa.

For further festival information, pictures, accreditation, interviews and artist queries, please contact:

Chatroom

Gouwa Waja Stemmet, Account Manager

P: +27 21 422 2806

M: +27 82 447 1532

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

It’s that time of year again and Capetonians can look forward to The Cape Town International Jazz Festival ‘Community Concert’

espAfrika, the organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival are staging this free concert for the people of Cape Town two days prior to the Festival. This year it will again be held in the vibrant and historic Greenmarket Square in the heart of the city. Now a tradition in Cape Town, the concert takes place on Wednesday 23 March 2011, from 17h00 till 22h00 and features local and international artists.

The free concert offers a great evening of jazz and jazz fusions for all Cape Town’s music fans who are not able to attend the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, as well as those who have purchased their tickets but still don’t want to miss this festival ‘warm-up’.

As the free concert starts at 17h30, many city workers will remain in the city after work, to join the music fans who will be attending this evening of Jazz.

“We invite people who do not work or live in the central city to make use of this opportunity to experience the buzz of city life,” said Andrew Boraine, Cape Town Partnership CEO. Boraine continues: “It is a great opportunity for those working in the city to stay after work to enjoy and experience the vibe of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Greenmarket Square with its great selection of pubs, restaurants and hotels while the music echoes off the surrounding historic buildings.”

The concert promises to be diverse, exciting and entertaining as the line up of artists appearing will be Tortured Soul, Hanjin, Tribe of Benjamin, Gang of Instrumentals and the Cape Town Tribute Band. The show is expected to finish at 10 pm.

Bringing all the right elements of soul and disco heritage into their music, is 3-piece US band, Tortured Soul,  a breath of fresh air for any dance floor-weary masses tired of dry club brands serving up DJs-by-numbers. Also from the US, indie folk band, Tribe of Benjamin will offer visitors to the square a set of harmonised sounds of the slide guitar, mandolin, didgereedoo and harmonica.

Ready to show South African audiences that Hong Kong has more than Cantopop and HK-pop is Hong Kong-based Singaporean artist Tan Hanjin. As music producer and songwriter HanJin thrust himself to the fore in November 2009 when he launched his debut album, Raw Jazz. Hanjin creates compositions that fuse Chinese music with rock, western pop and R&B.

The free concert will also feature some of South Africa’s hottest talent like well-acclaimed Gang of Instrumentals, offering their unique blend of soul, reggae, rock and kwaito.  Best known for songs like “My Number One” and “Woza December”, the group is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Headline act at this year’s main event is the Cape Town Tribute Band, formed under the musical directorship of Alvin Dyers and will pay tribute to greats like Winston Mankunku, Tony Schilder, Donald Tshomela, Ezra Ngcukana, Robbie Jansen, Hotep Galeta and Vincent Kolbe.

Road Closures and transport
The public is notified that there will be road closures on the day of the concert. Transport will be available on all main train lines after the show.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into an enormously successful international event since its inception in 2000.  As it celebrates its 12th anniversary in 2011, Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No. 4 in the world, outshining events such as Montreaux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. With more than 34,000 in attendance and more than 40 international and local artists to perform over two days on five stages, Cape Town International Jazz Festival has earned the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place on 25 and 26 March 2011. Details can be obtained at www.capetownjazzfest.com, or by calling the festival hotline on 021 422 5653. Tickets are available from Computicket and Shoprite Checkers stores.

The gold sponsors for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2011: Department of Arts and Culture, Ritek Investments and Mzansi Magic, (channel 107 on DSTV) the broadcast sponsor. Other sponsors include Provincial Government of the Western Cape, The City of Cape Town, Hansa Pilsner, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Cape Town Partnership, SA Tourism, Polo, the Western Cape Education Department and the Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and Spa.

For further festival information, pictures, accreditation, interviews and artist queries, please contact:

Chatroom

Gouwa Waja Stemmet, Account Manager

P: +27 21 422 2806

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

M: +27 82 447 1532

Berklee College of Music is excited to announce its partnership and participation at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2011. A team from Berklee will conduct and moderate music workshops, panel discussions, and information sessions throughout the week of the festival, including meeting with high school music students, and with artists and educators in the region. Additionally, the college will conduct auditions and interviews to identify outstanding students for admission and for scholarships to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. The college's participation, coincides with the festival featuring a number of prominent Berklee alumni including Danilo Perez with the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Esperanza Spalding, and Christian Scott.

The program dates are 21 – 26 March 2011. The team from Berklee College of Music presenting and moderating the sessions includes John Baboian, professor in the Guitar Department, vibraphonist Winnie Dahlgren, associate professor in the Harmony Department, Sam Skau, assistant director of International Programs, and Gojko Damjanic, assistant director of International Admissions. The workshops and panel discussions will also incorporate guests including regional educators and artists from the festival. The above sessions are open to the public and will include interactive workshops and audience participation in performance.

The college will be offering a number of scholarship awards during this week. There will be two full tuition scholarships for Berklee’s Summer Performance Program, scholarships for three Berkleemusic online courses, and the opportunity to avail of the numerous and varying amounts in partial scholarships for study in the undergraduate programs at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Berklee conducts auditions and interviews throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia, with new sites each year across Africa and Asia in search of talented instrumentalists and vocalists – an effort that is supported with $28 million in scholarship funds.

Audition and Interview dates in Cape Town are March 22nd and 23rd.

To audition, a candidate must first apply to the college, online, at http://apply.berklee.edu

For additional application related information, candidates must contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into an enormously successful international event since its inception in the year 2000.  As it celebrates its 12th anniversary in 2011, Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No. 4 in the world, outshining events such as Montreaux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. With more than 34,000 in attendance and more than 40 international and local artists to perform over two days on five stages, Cape Town International Jazz Festival has earned the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.

In the words of festival director, Rashid Lombard: “We are excited and proud to introduce Berklee College of Music into the week long training and development programme of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. This is an amazing contribution to continued education for the chosen students. The professional team from Berklee will also participate in other training and development programmes during the week. It is a huge accolade for the festival to receive such recognition by the long-standing prestigious music institution. These events provide musicians with international exposure to a recognized institution and access to these skills. It is with great excitement and pride that the festival presents these workshops/auditions as part of the 2011 Training and Development programme.”

For further festival information, pictures, accreditation, interviews and artist queries, please contact:

Chatroom

Gouwa Waja Stemmet, Account Manager

P: +27 21 422 2806

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

M: +27 82 447 1532