By Nangamso Mabindla
15 November 2004

EAST LONDON is set to groove to the sounds of Le Jazz Hot later this month with the Standard Bank Jazz Umanyano - featuring some of the best South Africa and Europe have to offer.

Jazz Umanyano, on at the East London City Hall on 26 and 27 November, promises to put the city on the map as one of the country's major jazz centres.

Festival producer, Alan Webster, says the show, now in its second year, is set to become an annual event. "We held last year's show at the River Park factory and it was a resounding success. The sponsors were very happy," says Webster.

This year Jazz Umanyano will feature a mix of seasoned professionals and up-and-coming jazz artists from Buffalo City and the rest of the Eastern Cape.

Giving the event a little international flair are Swedish jazz outfit, the Johan Hörlén Quartet, and the UK's finest, Chunky Butt Funky.

Local bands, like the Ndoda Tafeni Quintet, led by pianist Ndoda Tafeni, are also set to dazzle the crowds, with headliners Judith Sephuma, Port Elizabeth-born jazz legend, Zim Ngqawana and The Ngcukana Brothers showing just what makes jazz so hot.

"By having a diverse field, we're looking to introduce locals to different types of jazz," says Webster. "We want to prove we can have a festival as big as the North Sea Jazz Festival (held annually in Cape Town) and the other festivals in Johannesburg and Durban," he adds.

Organisers are hoping that if the festival becomes an annual event it will attract visitors to East London from all over South Africa.

The North Sea Jazz Festival invites players from as far afield as the US and Japan and also includes artists from other music genres.

"Durban and Joburg have connections with other countries in Africa and Europe," Webster says. "With Daimler Chrysler on board, we're looking at bringing in German artists as well."

Jazz aficionados will be enticed by the music produced by the German and Swedish outfits - a very different sound to what South Africans are used to.

Webster urges jazz lovers to book tickets in time, however. "This is our big chance to showcase our city and our talent."

Tickets can be booked at the Guild Theatre, Smokey Swallows, and the Jazz Inn at R60 per person, with a limited number on sale at the door for R70. There will also be a small number of gallery seats available at R120.