"Jazz meets symphony"

[jazz1]

"Jazz Meets Symphony" concert with Mary Stallings, Opie Bellas, Judith Sephuma,

and Winston Mankuku

Location : Theater on the track, Johannesburg south Africa.

I thought that it maybe of interest to some.

I have to admit that it went much better than expected as I was a little unsure

of the 65 pieces local orchestra. The orchestra consisted of a string section

and a big band. During the last rehearsal which I attended, they did sound a

little hesitant but when the time came they did pull it off. Mary Stallings

opened the show with "Muddy Water" a blues with a Count Basie arrangement.

Well the moment Mary opened her mouth, you knew you where listening to jazz. She

may well be last jazz singer alive to be able to do that. The blues is in her

blood. A hint of Carmen McRae came to mind. Other songs she did where "Running

Wild," "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You," "This Girl's In Love," "Deed I Do," all

of them using Count Basie charts, Mary Stallings worked with the Count for three

years and it shows. She is cool, yet so hot. I think that big band is her real

forte, although she sang a ballad with just a trio that was in goose bump

territory. I could not believe that she is 67, she looks and sounds so young

Our local diva Judith Sephuma was next, she has a great voice but for my tastes

her style and phrasing is not jazzy enough. She sang a beautiful version of

"Over the Rainbow" unfortunately with no verse... the verse is so good it was a

pity. She also did some nice South African compositions which I did not know.

Judith is more of a "show" singer than a jazz singer, the crowd loved her, and

actually it was a nice style contrast after the very jazzy Mary Stallings.

The second half opened with Miss Bellas, this girl is so confident, great stage

presence, beautiful voice and perfect pitch. She sang "I'm Beginning to See the

Light" (no strings, arr./orchestrated by Mike Greensill), "Time After Time"

(with the verse and strings, Greensill), "Tango Nefelis" (a Greek song,

orchestrated by Michael Moricz), "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (arr. by M.

Greensill), "Live for Life" (strings orch. by Michael Moricz) and to me the

highlight of the evening a very stormy "Stormy Weather" which left us

breathless.

Both Mary and Opie used David Udolf on piano. David is based in San Francisco

The last section of the concert was by SA legend saxophonist Winston Mankuku,

well he did not disapoint, to my ears he sounded better than ever, his playing

was modern, quite free, surprisingly for me it really worked well with the big

orchestra as a foundation. I am not sure who did the strings and big band

arrangements for Winston but the combination was a great match.

All in all a wonderful evening. I would like to thank the the Jazz Foundation of

South Africa as well as the sponsors to make such an event possible. (Hopefully

there will be more.)

Sunday, I was invited with the overseas artists to visit Soweto, had a great

meal in an African restaurant, people there are especially warm and friendly,

they made a great impression on all of us.