The Tenth Sekunjalo EduJazz Concert

I don't think that there were many people with dry eyes as the concert hall at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch vibrated with the energy of jazz musicians, culminating in a poignant rendering of the national anthem. On Friday evening I was once again privileged to attend the Sekunjalo EduJazz Concert. The concert raises funds for learners from the poorest communities in the Western Cape and currently, 75 schools benefit from the initiative.

The money raised goes to bursaries and workshops, promoting and developing young musicians, encouraging the spread of music and culture and contributing to the alleviation of crime in our townships. The annual concert gives these young people the opportunity to perform on stage in front of an audience. The programme usually follows the format of the children playing during the first half, followed by a headline act in the second. 

One of the products of this initiative is the Delft Big Band from one of the poorest communities in the W. Cape with high unemployment and crime levels. Yet you would not know it to see and hear these young people, proudly making beautiful music with secondhand or borrowed instruments.

This year, we were treated to the sounds of Ifidyoli Strings (a Beau Soleil Project) and the EduJazz Collaboration featuring Alexander Sinton, and Heathfield High School and the EduJazz ensemble (made up of students from various schools). The headline act was provided by Jimmy Dludlu who is a South African Music Awards winner for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He plays traditional and modern jazz, music from West and Central Africa and Latin America.

Jimmy Dludlu is a genius. With his pork pie hat and black-rimmed spectacles he cuts a stylish figure. He has an amazing stage presence and ability to engage the audience and had people dancing  in the aisles before long. At the end of his set he invited the young musicians up on to the stage to join him. Playing with Jimmy Dludlu on stage must be enough for these kids to build memories on, but when he actually gave his guitar to the kids to play a few bars, I had goosebumps. I have these new South Africa moments that I collect (things that would have been unthinkable pre-1994) and this definitely ranks high on the list. The emotion in the hall was palpable and it seemed like the most natural thing to lead into the anthem. 

Well done to Sekunjalo for walking the talk of empowerment. And we had fun doing it.