The K Jazz Show on Kofifi FM 97.2 Kofifi FM 97.2

Defined as a meeting between instruments, not traditions.

Most certainly, the dialogue between Ballaké Sissoko’s kora and Derek Gripper’s guitar is a summit between two master musicians who are operating with control and freedom at the highest peaks of their art.

Armed with Ballake’s Sissoko’s kora tradition and lineage traverse the once powerful empire known as Kaabu of West Africa and Derek Gripper’s European Classic guitar these two gentle do not share spoken language but but if it is true that music speaks universally, then they were already involved in profound dialogue long before they met.

After a successful American Tour, This June the duo touches down in South Africa for a you cant afford to miss out Tour in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg from June 14th until June 21st

Joining us, is a gentleman who really has redefined interpreting how the Kora sounds using only his guitar.

Cape Town based Guitarist and friend of the K Jazz Show, Derek Dripper

Thandeka Dladla has been spending some time in Joburg over the past week or so working on different things including an incredible performance in Melville last night.
She joins us this afternoon as we wrap up her tour, talking about that experience and some of the interesting things she has been up to…
Vocalist and fellow West Rand native Thandeka Dladla, Chats to us.

It is the 25th edition and in true Joy of Jazz style, it is going to be spectacular, joining us in studio to talk more about the festival is the ever stylish and effervescent CEO of Johanneburg’s favourite festival.
Please welcome back Mantwa Chinoamadi who is better known as Miz Mantwa

Our guest is a jazz pianist, composer and author who introduced the first university jazz course in Africa in 1984 and established the internationally famous Centre for Jazz & Popular Music on the Durban campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Throughout this time he toured internationally leading professional and student groups and playing with some of South Africa’s top musicians.
Together with his wife, Catherine they wrote a memoir, about their 23 years in South Africa.

“Playing the changes” which is also a documentary, examines why and how jazz had such a transformative role in different societies such as (post-)Soviet Poland and Mandela’s South Africa

The documentary is coming to our shores and you and I get the front row seat.

As we draw closer to International Jazz Day 2024, many festival goers are headed to various music festivals and gatherings which, we have been talking about here on the k jazz show, including the cape town international jazz festival which takes place this week.
And as part of the run up to this gathering we are joined by one of the acts that will be gracing the stages.
Matt Bianco is a collective that was formed in the 80s by Mark Reilly and the former members have included the late bassist Kito Poincioni and vocalist Basia.
Frontman Mark Reilly talks to us.

In what is shaping up to be one of the best line-ups in a history of outstanding programmes, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is pulling out all the stops to ensure that its comeback on 3 and 4 May 2024, is one to be enjoyed and remembered. 

Staying true to its roots of providing the performance space for a mixture of established and bright new talent, this year’s festival will showcase African music royalty alongside their international counterparts.

Of course, the return of the festival is what is currently on everyones lips, including it’s eclectic line up so joining us this morning to answer all your festino questions, spokesperson for the Cape Town International Festival Ms Kaz Henderson ahead of Africa’s grandest gathering.