Organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival added three new bands to the lineup announced earlier on. The three are: US keyboardist Jeff Lorber; a Dutch hip-hop duo called La Melodia and Cape Town-based guitarist Allou April.  This brings to 42, the groups that will perform at the festival that takes place on Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). “Like we do in our programming, in finalising our lineup we had to ensure that there was something for different audiences and tastes. Jeff Lorber will definitely excite those who prefer smoother jazz sounds. For those into hip-hop, there is nothing better than La Melodia. And there was no way that we could not showcase the best home-brewed grooves. That’s Allou April”, says festival and EspAfrika director Rashid Lombard.

Forming his first band in 1977, Lorber has an experience of more than three decades as a professional musician. In these years, the Philadelphia-born artist has not only produced close to 20-albums, he has been at the centre of developing the genre that is loosely referred as smooth jazz. Being part of the fusion era in the 1970s, the 57-year old piano and keyboard player began to explore his R&B roots and eschewed the purely-instrumental music of the earlier period. Lorber is also credited to have introduced to the public the young Kenny G. The well-known saxophonist’s first recording was with Jeff Lorber Fusion’s 1980 recording Wizard Island. Over the years, Lorber worked with other musicians such as percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, trumpeter Herb Albert and saxophonist Dave Koz. Lorber’s 2005 Flipside was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.

Currently residing in Amsterdam, La Melodia is MC Melodee and DJ/producer I.N.T. Both artists were part of the hip-hop underground in the Holland’s city of Eindhoven. While the two are involved in independent projects, they began to collaborate in 2004 when they decided to release a single together. Soon thereafter a Japanese record company approached the duo with a recording deal after the company’s executives heard the single in a record store. Insistent on hip-hop as the basis of their sound, La Melodia incorporates raw beats, bossa nova and soul into its music. “La Melodia is all about feel good vibes. And spreading those vibes across the globe”, says Melodee about the band’s recent appearance at the Supafly Hiphop Jam in Brussels and the South By South West (SXWS) Festival in Austin, Texas.

April on the other hand, belongs to a team of South African musicians who although inspired by guitarists such as George Benson and Wes Montgomery refuse to let go of their ghoema, mbaqanga and gospel roots.  Since the launch of his debut album Bringing Joy, April has won his place as one of the country’s innovative guitarists. With three albums under his belt, he has established a style that is uniquely his own. April’s addition to the list of musicians to perform at this year’s festival turns in many respects, the two-day musical extravaganza into a guitar feast. Already on the lineup is the guitar maestro and leading vocalising artist, George Benson.  Benson gives two shows at the festival. On the first night he presents “An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole” with a 28-piece South African Orchestra. With his band, he will close the second day of the festival in a concert dubbed: George Benson: “Greatest Hits”. Other guitar-led groups on the bill are:  Jonathan Butler who appears with US trumpeter Rick Braun and Scottish-born saxophonist Richard Elliot as guests; Austrian Michaela Rabitsch & Robert Pawlik Quartet; Ronny Jordan Organ Trio from the US; our troubadour/guitar-player Vusi Mahlasela, and the impressive South African guitarist Selaelo Selota.  Although known for his harmonica work Toots Thielemans is a guitarist first and foremost.

Other artists that were previously announced are: Amanda Tiffin (SA); Blk Jks (SA); Bokani Dyer Trio (Botswana/SA); Brooklyn Funk Essentials (US); Charles Lloyd New Quartet (US); Delft Youth Big Band conducted by Ian Smith (SA);  Gauteng Jazz Orchestra (SA); Glenn Robertson Jazz Band (SA); Guru’s Jazzmatazz feat. Solar & the 7 Grand Players (US); Iridium Project (SA); Jason Moran & The Bandwagon (US); Judith Sephuma (SA); Kesivan Naidoo and the Lights (SA/Sweden/Switzerland); Lira (SA); Marcus Wyatt’s  Language 12 (SA); Makeson Browne & Akoustik Knot (SA) feat. Johan Hörlén (Sweden); McCoy Tyner Trio feat Gary Bartz (US); Melanie Scholtz (SA);  Mervyn Africa’s Kaap Finale (SA); Mezzoforte (Iceland); (Austria); MiKANiC with Zolani Mahola & Buddy Wells (SA); Musa Manzini (SA); Paulo Flores (Angola); Rachelle Ferrell (US);  Regina Carter’s Reverse Thread (US); Sammy Hartman Project with Robbie Jansen & Ezra Ngcukana (SA); Soil & “Pimp” Sessions (Japan); Stix Hojeng (SA); Tete Mbambisa (SA)  The Bad Plus (US); and TKZee (SA).

Like in previous years, these musicians will share the festival’s five stages over the two days.

The success of the festival would have not been possible had it not been the generosity of sponsors. The gold sponsors for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2010 are: Department of Arts and Culture, Ritek Empredentos, Other sponsors include Provincial Government of the Western Cape, The City of Cape Town, Grolsch, Jack Daniels and Avis.

Ticket prices for the 2010 festival are: R330 for single day pass and a two-day weekend pass is R485. As in previous years, there will be an extra fee of R25 per act for patrons wishing to attend concerts on the Rosies stage. Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores.

NB:  It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Guru of Guru’s Jazzmatazz has fallen very ill and will not be on the bill.

For further information, pictures and accreditation please contact Jeni Fletcher on jenifletcher@telkomsa.net or office: 27 21 551 2277 Cell: 27 82 825 5718

For interviews and artist queries please contact Marilyn Thompson on 27 21 4653314; cell 082 5713261 or marilyn@t-n-t.co.za