North Sea Jazz Festival. The Rotterdam version.

It all started with a telecon conversation that took place around December between myself and my traveling partner, Tshepo Sibeko. He was asking whether I was going to attend the Cape Town Jazz Festival, to which I responded....."no baba, I would rather save for the real deal....Rotterdam". The seed was planted. In the history of the Cape Town jazz festival, which incidentally started of as the North Sea Jazz Festival (Cape Town), I probably missed two and I thought I was ripe for the real deal. Hence my response to Sibeko.

I am glad I made that decision. It's a different ball game. Well worth la-mathousand i am chowing. First of all, you have to content with with 13 jazz venues. By the time you get back to your hotel, you have walked about 5km, shuffling from venue to venue because there is so much to watch within an 8 hour time period allocated. I hope I am right....Phela iMaths was not my strong point eSkolweni.

Be that as it may, I was happy to watch 7 out of the 52 acts that performed yesterday night (11 July 2013). The only disappointment was Doug Hammond. I suppose one can discount him because of his age. We all agreed ( me and my crew) he should just go on pension. What,s worse, is that earlier in the day I met this old man in a lift ( hotel lift) who introduced himself as Doug Hammond and personally asked me to come watch his show at 7:30 ( Madeira Stage). When we were deciding on what acts to watch, I put his name into the magic hat that Sibeko was wearing and we agreed to watch him. Tjo.....after four songs we left. It was actually the fourth song that convinced us to leave.....his quintet fumbled around with lyrics and on four occasions, had to re-start the song. I was so embarrassed.....mhlaba vuleka ngingene type scenario. Hayi, this was the only blacksport for the Night.

My imaginary girlfriend wanted to watch Anthony Hamilton, so I went. That man is dynamite. I was  a bit disappointed because he didn't sing the Woo song.  From there, I went to visit my best for the night. Carlos Santana....he is the reason why I am taking guiter lessons. I want to be able to play " make somebody happy" like he does. He really rocked and his venue was packed to the rafters.

Nje ngabo Darkie ba se lokshin, the night would not have been complete without a bit of exclusivity. We then went and attended a side show ka Diana Krall. Red carpet and all.....ayi dlala Neo. I will never forget this experience. Different from watching her on my Plasma Screen. This girl from British Columbia rocks. It was also nice to see a couple of boMjozana in the crowd. Tim Dolla, Banzi Malinga and oBra Peter Tladi.

Then it was time to go smoke a bit of Zol. Monty Alexander and Roy Hargrove provided the Zol. Great shows. Angazi ukutshi ngingathini.....I really enjoyed their sets. Terrence Blanchard yena, just reminded me of my CD collection which survived my divorce settlement drama. I promised myself that when I get back home, I am dusting of the cobwebs from my collection and do what I do best, listen to good Jazz. It's been sometime and I thank you North Sea Jazz for reigniting that light which was slowly ebbing away.

Like i said. This is a totally different ball game....everybody goes there with one mindset...listen to good jazz and have a blast. Nobody is here to watch and see ukutshi mang o tsamaya Le mang. Mang o apere eng? Mang o robala kae. Aikhona. As to whether I will be doing CApe Town Jazz Festival anytime soon, I doubt....

Tonite (13 July) is going to be another eventful night.....John Legend, Ssteve Winwood, Chick Corea, McCoy Turner, Brecker Brothers here I come..

Eish, let me go find Doug Hammond and tell him what I thought of his set. Sharp, Sharp