🎷 A Night of Sound, Insight, and Solidarity with SACO and Concerts SA – Celebrating Jazz, Research and Dialogue 🎷
Date: 25 April 2025
Venue: Chiesa di Pazzo Lupi, Melville
Hosted by: South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) in collaboration with IKS Cultural Consulting, and Concerts SA
On a crisp autumn evening in Melville, Johannesburg, jazz took center stage—not just as a genre, but as a catalyst for conversation, research, and community-building. The Jazz Month Celebration & Information Dissemination Session, held at Chiesa di Pazzo Lupi, brought together 80 attendees, from musicians and researchers to cultural policymakers and students, to confront one pressing question: What does it really cost to be a jazz musician in post-Covid South Africa?
🎤 A Dialogue Rooted in Reality
The evening opened with warm remarks from André Le Roux and Ryan Pillay, setting the tone for a gathering as reflective as it was celebratory. Veteran journalist and researcher Gwen Ansell then led a stirring panel discussion based on research, “Getting & Spending: South African Jazz Musicians’ Earnings and Expenditure Pre- and Post-Covid.”
Joining Gwen were four of South Africa’s most respected voices in music:
- Prof. Brett Pyper
- Prince Lengoasa
- Concord Nkabinde
- Titi Luzipo
Together, they unpacked key themes:
🎵 The rising costs of live performances that threaten the viability of performances
🎵 The overlooked role of ensemble musicians
🎵 The relational, not just financial, impact of the Covid-19 crisis
🎵 Gaps in income mapping and the urgent need for sustainable funding models
Their candid reflections resonated powerfully with the audience. “This was about speaking truth to power,” said one guest. Another described it as “a tangible moment of solidarity and insight.”
Sessions with Gwen Ansell:
Lead Researcher, Cultural Journalist & Jazz Scholar on
Getting & Spending: South African Jazz Musicians’ Earnings and Expenditure (2020–2023)
JSB CONVERSATION:
Evolution of Music in South Africa from the perspective of performing artists and how the creative process has changed in the last 30 years
đź’¬ From Research to Action
The session evolved from presentation to active dialogue as guests participated in a lively Q&A. Topics ranged from the live performance economy to structural inequities in funding. As the sun set, conversations spilled into the courtyard over refreshments, with new connections forming and old ones rekindled.
🎶 Music That Moves the Soul
The night crescendoed with a dynamic live performance by Abavuki, the Afro-fusion powerhouse from Cape Town supported by the Concerts SA Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC). Their marimba-led rhythms turned insight into celebration, honouring the resilience and creativity of South African musicians.
📣 Beyond the Event: What’s Next?
This Jazz Month event was more than a one-off—it was a powerful prelude to the SACO 2025 Conference (5–6 November). The conversation continues, with a recorded version of the panel discussion set for release soon.
As André Le Roux put it:
“Together, we are building a more resilient, vibrant, and equitable cultural sector — one that truly honours the labour and legacy of our artists and cultural workers.”
đź‘Ź Key Takeaways
Collaboration Works:
- SACO, IKS, and Concerts SA pulled off a seamlessly executed, high-impact event with minimal marketing but maximum reach.
The Sector is Listening:
- 129 RSVPs and 80 attendees show a real appetite for data-driven discussion and meaningful connection.
The Work Continues:
- With more events planned for Women’s Month and beyond, this was just the beginning.
