The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a truly international line-up of top artists from around the world while continuing to discover and explore the heritage and riches of home-grown talent. Running from August 27 to 29 in Newtown, the 2009 line-up features artists from America, Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands who will be joined by top performers from South Africa and the African Diaspora.

Giants of the jazz world include Switzerland’s Grammy-Award winning Andreas Vollenweider; The Lao Tizer Band featuring Emmy Award-winning guitarist and composer Chieli Minucci and international violin virtuoso Karen Briggs; world renowned trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; show stopping American vocalist Phil Perry; Main Ingredient from America with vocalists Cuba Gooding Sr, Larry Moore and George Stanley Sr; Spain’s Sumrra and Room 11 from The Netherlands.

Performers from the African continent include South Africa’s Jonas Gwangwa; Afro Jazz featuring Jimmy Dludlu; Vusi Mahlasela; Brian Thusi; Sterling EQ; the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for jazz Kesivan Naidoo as well as the Nigerian All Stars featuring Kúnlé Ayo and Rwanda’s Somi.

Undoubtedly the premier event on Johannesburg’s jazz calendar, the 2009 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will take place at six venues in the city’s Newtown precinct. The Dinaledi Stage and the Mbira Stage will be erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, creating two purpose-built venues to showcase this year’s line-up. Other venues include The Market Theatre, The Bassline, Sophiatown and Nikki’s Oasis.