Locals invited to Grahamstown Festival

GEORGE NEWS - George's young saxophone prodigy has been distinguished by being selected to take part in two prestigious national jazz events this month.

One of the highest honours for any young musician is to be invited to perform at the Grahamstown Festival. This distinction was bestowed on Kerwin Albertus (16) and his band Sole Individuals.

Organiser Adriaan Louw said to be invited to perform at the festival in Grahamstown is an absolute dream come true, as this is the highest platform for youngsters to showcase their artistry.

"The Sole Individuals Project is a very special and unique collaboration of learners and past learners from two local schools, namely Outeniqua High School and George High School. These young musicians have proven themselves very capable of performing jazz music of a very high quality."

Over 300 students and 40 teachers from diverse backgrounds all over South Africa, as well as 90 professional jazz musicians and educators, take part in the National Youth Jazz Festival from 27 June to 8 July.

The festival lasts nearly a week, incorporating innovative jazz performance, rehearsals, workshops, lectures, networking and an opportunity for South Africa's future jazz stars to interact personally and musically with their peers and the country's top performers.

Benefit concert Dr Ronell van Aswegen agreed to host a benefit concert in aid of these young musicians' travel and accommodation costs during the festival. It will take place at her Fancourt residence on Friday 22 June, at 19:00. Tickets are R100 per person and bookings are essential. Contact Lynette Petersen on 078 286 4878 or at petersenlynette@gmail.com.

Kerwin Albertus and his band will be networking and interacting with their peers and the country’s top performers at the National Youth Jazz Festival taking place in Grahamstown later this month.

Cape Town festival
Kerwin has also been elected as one of 14 soloists to feature in the Youth Jazz Festival in Cape Town on Friday 15 June.

These young musicians successfully auditioned to be included in the Artscape mentorship programme that forms part of Youth Month, which culminates in the Jazz Festival at 20:00 in the Artscape Theatre.

Structured to showcase young talent within the Western Cape, these musicians have the opportunity of working with five top South African Jazz artists in a 10-week mentorship programme. The workshops cover South African jazz, business management for musicians, and techniques.

Time is also devoted to musicians who have their own compositions.

Kerwin Albertus (second left) and his band The Sole Individuals, consisting of school boys of George High and Outeniqua High schools.