26th edition of the Cape Town Jazzathon will once again take place at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre, from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 January 2024.
The annual, FREE to public festival, will host up-and-coming live bands, newly discovered talent, and as per usual, features a few surprise artists and Jazzathon Legends.
Highlights this year include
Germaine Leonard
Heinrich Frans
Empress Naphtali
Sonic Citizen
“This musical formula seems to work well for the festival” says festival director Craig Parks. “We try our best to feature as many jazz related music genres at the Jazzathon, as possible. The upcoming Jazzathon Summer Showcase line-up is extremely diverse as we have a whole range of music styles including Afro Jazz, Cape Jazz, Hip Hop and RnB, Reggae, Gospel and Neo Soul, and Straight Ahead all crammed into 3 days of back-to-back entertainment”
The festival organizers would like to remind patrons and attendees, that the Cape Town Jazzathon is a family event
We chatted to one of the headline acts Heinrich Frans prior to the show, Heinrich is on stage on Saturday 13th Jan at 17H00.
At Jazzathon Heinrich will have a stellar 3 piece backing him:
Charlton Daniels: Electric Bass and Musical Director
Roderick McKay: Electric Piano
Damian Kamineth: Acoustic Drums
Heinrich is a stalwart of the SA music industry. His career spans from solo performances with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (under the direction of Bernard Gueller), live performances as lead and backing vocalist for Allou April, Ernie Smith, Wanda Baloyi, Mynie Grové, and recording sessions as lead and backing vocalist for Vusi Khumalo and Ivan Mazuze.
He also performed as lead and backing vocalist for international artists Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Oleta Adams, Diana Ross, Bebe Winans, Josh Groban, and Mark Fransman.
What is your purpose?
My purpose is to live a life in service of humanity.
What does music mean to you?
To me, music is one of several mediums through which I am able to serve humanity.
My music is about.
Life.
What is your motto?
Be encouraged and encourage others.
Fame is about.
In today’s day and age particularly, fame is about everything except that which truly matters.
Retirement will happen when.
I am deceased.
I don’t do
Bad music.
I would love to co-write with.
Duruflé.
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
My music library.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
The music.
The song you must do at every show?
Yesterday (The Beatles).
Any funny moments on stage?
Catching the giggles with a duet partner… Monique Hellenberg (Goldfish, The Voice | South Africa) can attest to this. We laugh about THAT moment, to this day.
My heroes are.
Too many to mention. Freddy Arendse is one that I was able to meet with – for the first time – recently.
My style icon is.
Wynton Marsalis.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
Freddy Arendse. His sense of humanity and grace, is second to none.
What is your most treasured possession?
Family.
It’s your round; what are you drinking?
Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola, for sure.
Dream gig to do?
The Heinrich Frans Quintet, live at, Carnegie Hall.
What makes you stand out?
My commitment to serving the music, first and foremost.
Any nicknames?
Biggy.
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
I would be a Chef, for sure.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Patient, kind, caring, nurturing and humorous.
Five must have songs on your Spotify playlist.
A Tribe Called Quest | Electric Relaxation
Nicholas Payton | Let It Ride
Earth, Wind and Fire | That’s the Way of the World
Robert Glasper Experiment | Ah Yeah
Roy Ayers | Everybody Loves the Sunshine
Greatest Movie Ever Made?
The Departed (Leonardo DiCaprio | Martin Scorsese)
What book are you reading?
The Bible.
What song changed your life?
Walk Tall by, Mark Fransman’s ‘Strait & Narro’.
Who do you love?
My soon to be born son and his Mother.
What is your favorite Word?
Music.
Top of your bucket list?
Spending a winter in, New York City.
Your greatest achievement?
Having survived a global pandemic.
What do you complain about most often?
Inequality.
What is your biggest fear?
The fear of not being a good enough parent.
Happiness is.
Family.
On stage, I tend to.
Sing with my soul.
The best life lesson you have learned?
Rest is for the privileged.
What has been your favorite journey so far?
Life.
Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?
I spend much of my existence sharing knowledge and experience. Developmental work – in the context of music – has always been a focus of mine.
Wishes and dreams?
EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL!
Social media
https://www.facebook.com/heinrich.frans.1
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