The Spirit of Orpheus at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz

If you know the story of Orpheus, a mortal man treated like a godlike figure, then you will understand my experience at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and why I felt like his spirit of music was hovering in the venue like a thick nimbus for 3 days. It is said that Orpheus had unmatched skills. His playing of the lyre charmed animals and stones, calmed raging rivers and the angriest of tempests. 

His music was described as having cosmic harmony, healing the soul, healing your physical ailments and elevating your spirit to an intoxicating realm of music.

This is how my spirit felt, and the feeling was because of a rich and earthy mixture of local, African and international artists. All of them are masters, alchemists, and modern-day philosophers of their trade. Let me add that the unwavering message spoken to the crowd by 4 artists that I saw was about righteousness, self-mastery, humility, our ancestors and of course the Most High, God.

This was a message conveyed by the Ababhemu Quartet praying musically to uNomkhubulwane — mother nature. This was a message conveyed by Esperanza Spalding when she stated that we spend too much time on our phones instead of praying.

This was a message conveyed by Jazzmeia Horn in between every song with her deeply felt allegories, handed down by her grandfather, teaching her later in her life about the wealth found in walking the road less travelled. This was a message conveyed by Meshell Ndegeocello, simply stating that “love takes off the mask that we fear we cannot live without...” and God is love, right? Deep!

Each day had a different ambience under the thick nimbus of Orpheus’s spirit. When I arrived on Friday with my friends, the buzz was through the roof. I think everyone was excited about seeing the likes of Oumou Sangare and Thandi Ntuli. I did not see the latter artist, but I was told that she was amazing on stage with ubaba Sipho Hotstix. I did get to see umama Sangare and what can I say… I was transported back to the dimly lit walls and passages inside the Sankore University in Timbuktu.

Learning from the best of scholars and using my lantern to read the manuscripts of our great Africa. This is how her music felt to me. Powerful and captivating. The atmosphere was so beautiful that people were on their feet dancing to the rich Malian sonics. It did not matter that I didn’t understand the language, as a spirit elevated by music needs no translator.

From a raging stream on the first day to a calmer river on the second day, remember that the spirit of Orpheus or his lyre can calm nature. The atmosphere went from a buzz and energy so insurmountable to a more calming ambience, like the air after it rains. I thoroughly enjoyed KB’s performance. She brought back the nostalgia of the 2000s. If you did not get up and dance, you were definitely tapping your foot while sitting down.

I then went to see Alune Wade from Senegal, and man oh man, I was not ready for his performance. The electric guitar fused with the indigenous sounds of Senegal created an almost euphoric chill travelling from my head to my toes. He was one of the highlights for me. Imagine Jimi Hendrix composing an Afrobeat. Beautiful!!

From a calmer river to an ocean. The third day was tranquil in its nature. I went to go see The Najponk Trio, Jazzmeia Horn, The Ababhemu Quartet (again), Esperanza Spalding and Mama Sangare (again). My father would’ve loved the Najponk Trio. They make music for the elitist ear. I am still a jazz neophyte, but I appreciate the musical lecture that the trio held for me. Esperanza Spalding was the crowd puller. She is like dynamite. I loved that she was conversing and interacting with the crowd. She gave us think pieces in music as well as think pieces to ponder whilst listening to her and her band play.

Jazzmeia Horn — raw, quirky, a student of jazz and an old soul. Her voice projection was otherworldly. Her aura is like that of a healer. She can make the earth tremble with just a few words. Another highlight for me.

The last performance was Oumou Sangare. I went back to Sankore University, draped in gold and rich, textured garments. She brought Thandiswa Mazwai on stage, and that for me was the cherry on top. The spirit of Orpheus completed what was a lovely event for the jazz lovers. The resonating theme being – God.