The Endler Concert Series online presents In Celebration of Women Jazz Concert, generously supported by SAMRO and ConcertsSA. The Stellenbosch University (SU) Jazz Band led by Felicia Lesch features jazz pianist Ramon Alexander, jazz vocalists Anneli Kamfer and Zinzi Carolissen, as well as poetry by Jolyn Phillips.

The concert aims to raise much needed funds for the Stellenbosch Work Centre for Adult Persons with Disabilities, who annually partner with the SU Jazz Band. Donations will be possible via SnapScan and EFT and all contributions from the audience go directly to the Stellenbosch Work Centre.

Felicia Lesch is passionate about music as a vehicle for social change and formed the SU Jazz Band as one of the ensembles of the SU Music Department’s Certificate Programme. This concert features ever-popular swing tunes It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, and Mr Bojangles. Anneli Kamfer will be doing her soul-strut in Strong enough and Natural Woman. The programme also features a celebration of South African Jazz standards, including works arranged by Mike Campbell such as Bra Ben and Snoektown, Doug Armstrong’s Rio de Heusos and Waiting for Phoebe, and Bheki Mselekhu’s Vukani, arranged by Claire Rontsch. Zinzi Carolissen and Ramon Alexander will perform their own compositions.

Guest artist Ramon Alexander studied jazz piano under Merton Barrow at The Jazz Workshop in Cape Town and has worked with a variety of South African jazz legends such as Robbie Jansen, Errol Dyers, McCoy Mrubata, Mark Hauser, Tuur Forizone  and Frank Paco’s Art Ensemble, to name a few. He has released three albums: Picnic at Kontiki (2011) and Echoes from Louwskloof (2015). In 2018 Cape Jazz Piano was released by Mountain Records.

Jazz vocalists Anneli Kamfer and Zinzi Carolissen are both past students of the Stellenbosch University Certificate Programme and former singers with the SU Jazz Band. Anneli was a band member of Manouche and is now pursuing a solo career and Zinzi is currently studying at the Berkeley College of Music in Boston.

Author and poet Jolyn Phillips completed a Masters in Creative Writing and is currently studying towards a PhD in Creative Writing at UJ. Her short stories and poetry have been published in numerous journals and anthologies.

Stellenbosch University Jazz Band has gained a reputation for vibrant and energetic performances, and have performed in concert with several of South Africa’s jazz legends such as Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman, Amanda Strydom, Judith Sephuma, Timothy Moloi and Tutu Puoane, to name a few.

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Programme

Vukani – Bheki Mselekhu arr. Claire Röntsch

Mr Bojangles – Jerry Jeff Walker arr. Mike Campbell

Vocals: Joshua Swanepoel

I know where I’ve been – Music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman arr. Rob Nielo

Vocals: Zinzi Carolissen

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin arr. Mike Campbell

Vocals: Thandeka Anneli Kamfer

Bra Ben – Mike Campbell

There’ll never be another you – Music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Mack Gordon

Ramon Alexander (piano), Dillon Cornelius (bass), Mark Lynch (saxophone), Igar Johannes (trumpet), Stuart Martin (percussion)

Freedom – Zinzi Carolissen

Zinzi Carolissen (vocals), Melisizwe Plaatjie (piano), Dillon Cornelius (bass), Mark Lynch (saxophone), Igar Johannes (trumpet), Stuart Martin (percussion), Ash-lee Louwskitter (trombone)

Sons and Captains – Ramon Alexander

Ramon Alexander (piano), Dillon Cornelius (bass), Mark Lynch (saxophone), Igar Johannes (trumpet), Stuart Martin (percussion)

Rio De Heusos – Douglas Armstrong

It Don’t Mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing – Music by Duke Ellington, lyrics by Irving Mills arr. Victor Lopez

Vocals: Thandeka Anneli Kamfer

Strong Enough – Cher arr. Mike Campbell

Zinzi Carolissen

Waiting for Phoebe – Douglas Armstrong

Weekend Special – Brenda Fassie arr. Mike Campbell

Vocals: Thandeka Anneli Kamfer

Artist Biographies

Pianist and composer Ramon Alexander is considered a leading exponent of Cape Jazz. He studied jazz piano under Merton Barrow at The Jazz Workshop in Cape Town after he finished high school. He however graduated with a B.Sc.Agric) from Stellenbosch University in 2004 in viticulture and oenology. Since he was selected as pianist for the Standard Bank National Youth Big Band in 2004, Alexander worked with a variety of artists such as Robbie Jansen, Errol Dyers, McCoy Mrubata, Mark Hauser, Tuur Forizone , Frank Paco’s Art Ensemble, Japanese trumpet legend, Terumasa Hino and The Cape Jazz Band, led by veteran drummer Jack Momple. His ensemble has performed at numerous local and international music festivals, notably the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Borneo International Jazz Festival, The Darling Music Experience as well a residency at No Black Tie Jazz Clubin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2019. Alexander has two albums to his credit. (Picnic at Kontiki [2011] and Echoes from Louwskloof [2015] ). In 2018 Cape Jazz Pianowas released by Mountain Records. He’s also produced numerous recording projects across various genres, most notably Essence of Spring [2018] by Cape Town jazz icon Ibrahim Khalil Shihab. He also regularly conducts jazz ensemble workshops youth bands in the Western Cape.

From an early age, Zinzi Carolissen had a love for music and was already determined to make a difference in the world. She quickly found a way to combine the two with the help of her parents and started singing at multiple charity events and festivals such as the Mitchells Plain Festival and the Stellenbosch Festival of Lights. In 2009 she won the Quest for Fame Competition and became a YoTv presenter on SABC 1 for a youth show. She also participated in several competitions such as South African Championships of Performing Arts and South African Talent Championships where she participated in different categories and won 7 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 1 bronze medal overall. Zinzi participated in the Tygerberg International Eisteddfod where she received honours for all the categories that she participated in. In 2014, she performed for X-factor South Africa and made it to the group rounds. Whilst still in school (Grade 9), she started with pre-undergraduate studies by being enrolled in the Music Certificate Programme at Stellenbosch University. After school, she furthered her education by completing the Higher Certificate in music at Stellenbosch University. She was also nominated for the Albert Engelbrecht ATKV award in 2016.

She is currently a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts doing a degree in Performance. Berklee also gave her the opportunity to be a motivational speaker at the Boston Academy of Music to inspire the youth by speaking out on relevant youth issues. Since her enrolment at Berklee she was one of the few vocalists that was chosen to have the honour of singing lead and back up for Berklee’s annual singer showcase. She made her debut off campus show in Boston performing at the Aretha Franklin Tribute show. Zinzi sang back up for multiple CAF shows at Berklee, which gave her experience in arranging harmonies for back-up singers. While in Boston she directed a music video and choreographed back up dancers for multiple shows. Zinzi was also the lead and back-up singer for the African ensemble that performed all over campus. This ensemble’s purpose is to expose other students from all over the world to African music and for African students to have representation within the college as they are the minority. Zinzi also started actively spreading awareness for gender based violence in South Africa and  became a strong advocate for the Black Lives Matter Movement. Since then she has received an Black Students Matter scholarship from MOS for her song Freedom and her activism.

Anneli Kamfer is a beloved South African singer and veteran of the music industry, having performed to critical acclaim both locally and abroad for the past 12 years. Born in Swellendam, Anneli grew up singing in church, where her passion for music was ignited. Her vocal talent was discovered by Prof. Arnold van Zyl, then Vice-Rector of Research at Stellenbosch University, who offered her a full scholarship to study classical voice at the Department of Music. In 2010, Anneli was headhunted to front the renowned gypsy jazz band, Manouche, which developed her growing jazz repertoire, klezmer, Southafrikaner and even rap. With Anneli at the helm, Manouche graced the stages of major music festivals, venues and events all over South Africa and received invitations to perform in Mozambique, the Seychelles and Singapore. Anneli has shared stages with Karen Zoid, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Fokof Polisiekar, Albert Frost, Arno Carstens and Majozi. She was also invited to perform in Germany at the University of Chemnitz. Anneli currently performs in a guitar and voice duo with Philip Vermeulen, exploring the intersection between Jazz and African music. They have shared stages with the likes of Gloria Bosman, PJ Powers and Lira, to name a few. This project gained momentum so quickly that together with Sonskyn, Anneli created a brand that includes various ensemble setups – ranging from the simple duo, to an elaborate full 6-piece band. The style and ease of Anneli’s music is perfect for any acoustic setting, whether corporate events, weddings, birthdays or markets.

Felicia Lesch matriculated from Livingstone High School, and graduated with a BMus (Ed) degree from the University of Cape Town and a MMus from Stellenbosch University respectively. Her teaching career ranges from primary school to teacher training college and includes a long stint at Heathfield High School where she established a strong music department. Whilst in this position, she was responsible for the organisation of numerous outreach activities, including tours and events for music learners throughout South Africa and Namibia. In 2000, at the invitation of the Indonesian government, she travelled to Java in order to study the art of teaching and playing the angklung – an indigenous Indonesian instrument. In addition, she was appointed as Chief Examiner for the Western Cape Education Department Standard Grade written examination (harmony & theory) from 2000-2003. Felicia has always had strong roots in community engagement and since 1999 has been teaching at the Western Cape Music Education Project which was directed by Ronnie Samaai and which she currently manages. She was appointed at the University of Stellenbosch in 2003 and is currently the director of the Certificate Programme, the largest outreach activity in the Department of Music at SU. Under her direction, the Certificate Programme has grown to include satellite campuses, such as the campus at the Army Base in Youngsfield, Wynberg. Several significant community partnerships have also been established with among others, the Elgin Learning Foundation, Mitchell’s Plain Academy of Music and the Arts and the Athlone Academy of Music.

Felicia is also passionate about jazz education, and has been taking students to the National Youth Jazz Festival since 1999. Her involvement at the festival expanded to teaching and later to becoming a member of the selection panel for the National Schools Big Band, which she was selected to conduct in 2009. Her appointment as Lecturer in Community Music signals acknowledgement of the significant contribution of community music to our musical landscape and heralds new directions in research and teaching at the Music Department at Stellenbosch University. Highlights of her achievements at SU include the Rector’s Award for Excellence which she received in 2010 and 2014 and the establishment of Stellenbosch University Jazz band, (category and overall winner of the National Ensemble Competition 2012), which she conducts.  She is also a member of the board of Directors of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and has served as adjudicator for various competitions, eisteddfodau and cultural festivals which include the Unisa Gr 8 scholarship competition, the Tygerberg International and Kaapse Afrikaanse eisteddfodau, the Cape Malay Choir Competition, the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition and the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. She is passionate about music as a vehicle for social change and remains deeply committed to those ideals.

Author and poet Jolyn Phillips was born and bred in Blompark, Gansbaai. She completed a Masters in Creative Writing and is currently studying towards a PhD in Creative Writing at UJ. Her short stories and poetry have been published in numerous journals and anthologies including, New Contrast, Aerodrome, This is my Land (UWC publication, 2011) and Harvest (UWC poetry anthology, 2016). Her debut collection of short stories, Tjieng Tjang Tjerries, was published to great acclaim in 2016 (prescribed at the University of Rhodes, shortlisted for UJ prize for best Debut and won the NIHSS Prize for Best Fiction). Tjieng Tjang Tjerries was adapted for stage in collaboration with Kleisand Productions and Woordfees 2018. In July 2017, she published Radbraak, her debut collection of Afrikaans poetry. The collection was shortlisted for the Elizabeth Eybers Prize (2018) and won the UJ Prize for best Debut (2018). She has appeared at numerous festivals, including the Franschhoek Literary Festival, The Open Book Festival, Kingsmead Literary Festival, the Lees Fees and the McGregor Festival. Her latest book, Bientang, was published in July 2020. Twitter: @emeraux