Press Article

2005 Nov 10   Standard Bank Young Artist Award
Publication: Business Day
Byline: Gwen Ansell

THE Standard Bank Young Artist Award is one of the few opportunities in this country for a jazz musician to develop repertoire rather than simply hang another framed plaque on the wall. By providing the opportunity to develop new work for concerts before a national audience, the award can pull players out of their comfort zone and encourage them to take risks and move forward.

How well that works is demonstrated by Andile Yenana’s new album, Who’s Got The Map?

Yenana was 2005 Young Artist for Jazz, and in the process developed new playing partnerships and showcased and refined compositions, all of which are reflected on an edgy and wonderfully fresh album.

This year’s winner is bassist Concord Nkabinde, and it will be interesting to see how the opportunity opens up his music. For while Nkabinde is a strong player — as anyone has to be who has occupied the bass chair behind Roy Ayers, Zim Ngqawana and Abdullah Ibrahim.

His achievements have been remarkable, and a tribute to his own hard work. Collaborations have taken him to Scandinavia and Latin America and into Indian and Chinese music. He has produced and taught. He has founded a professional organisation for South African bass players. And he has, almost single-handedly, assured that his album, The Time, The Season, received significant attention and airplay, without any of the resources of a record-label major behind him.

All of this has understandably left less time for introspection: for sitting alone and dreaming music. Yet rare recitals — such as his duo at the Wits Theatre with poet Kgafela Oa Magogodi — reveal that he has lots to say musically as well as professionally. His concerts next July at Grahamstown should go in your diary.