2009 SBNYJF Participants

The participants of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival 2009 in Grahamstown.

Michael Bester named winner of SAMRO Scholarship

Guitarist Michael Bester (member of the National Youth Big Band 1999, and the National Youth Jazz Band 2001) was named the 2008 winner of the prized Overseas Scholarships for Instrumentalists in the Jazz/Popular Music category, awarded by the SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts (SENA). Congratulations!

Kesivan Naidoo announced Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2009

Drummer Kesivan Naidoo is the newly-announced Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2009 – one of the premier awards for jazz in the country. He was a member of the National Schools’ Big Band in 1995 and the National Youth Big Band in 1999 and 2000. Congratulations!

NYJB performs at Jo'burg Joy of Jazz Festival

The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band, conducted by Neil Gonsalves, performed at the Johannesburg Joy of Jazz Festival in August. Seen here backstage with Joshua Redman after the performance are Matthew Field, Chris Engel, Kingsley Buitendag, Joshua Redman, Blessing Zondi and Janus van der Merwe.

2008 SBNYJF Participants

The participants of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival 2008 in Grahamstown.