The Nelson Mandela University’s South Campus Auditorium will come alive with the sounds of jazz at the ISISUSA Jazz Fest Concert, an event that promises to resonate far beyond the concert hall on Friday, November 15.
Presented by the University’s Arts Culture and Heritage Department, in association with the Visual and Performing Arts Department, the concert marks a unique collaboration of education, community, and artistic excellence, anchored in the theme “Improvisation and Syncopation: ReImaginations”.
Gqeberha-born jazz icon, Feya Faku, celebrated globally for his masterful trumpet work and rich history in South African jazz, will headline this year’s fest concert. Known for his collaborations with legends like Abdullah Ibrahim and Victor Ntoni, Faku’s artistry embodies the festival’s commitment to musical dialogue, cultural heritage, and democracy.
Under the musical direction of Marlon Louis, head of Victoria Park High School’s music department, Faku will lead a programme featuring both Victoria Park High students and Nelson Mandela University’s talented students and alumni.
The event kicks off with a segment titled “Anticipating Democracy”, performed by Victoria Park High School, capturing jazz’s role in inspiring the democratic ideals South Africa has fought to uphold. The second session, led by Faku, delves into “Democracy”, exploring jazz as a form of democratic expression, where improvisation and freedom take centre stage.
The evening culminates in a dynamic improvisation session, symbolising a collective re-imagining of democracy that involves all performers and reflects the evolving voice of Gqeberha. The concert aims to support community engagement and skills-building in the local music community, providing Mandela University students and local young musicians with invaluable insights from Faku through jazz workshops on November 14.
These collaborations offer a platform for cross-generational and cultural exchanges, reinforcing the University’s values of inclusivity, social justice, and community upliftment. The ISISUSA Jazz Fest Concert is free and open to the public, thanks to the University’s support, showcasing jazz as a transformative force within Gqeberha and beyond.
For those who value creativity as a tool for reimagining and rebuilding, this is an event not to be missed.
The event starts at 18:00 and ends at 20:30.
