Music Line Up announced for the 10th Mzantsi Jazz Awards – A Night of Stars, Music, and Celebration!

This week the musical program was confirmed and it promises to be a star-studded celebration of Mzantsi Jazz Awards winners from the last 10 years, including Mimi Mtshali (the first ever female winner of the MJA), Thembi Dunjana (multi-award winner who will be travelling from Cape Town especially for the celebration) as well as Bokang Ramatlapeng whose latest album Qalo has also been nominated for this year's awards. Among the men, Viwe Mkhizwana has recently released a project called Black Child and Fanie Dick recently won the SAMA award- winning as well.

It will also be the 1st year that MJA celebrates the best jazz music from around the continent with the Best Africa Jazz Album or Artist award, generously sponsored by PF Music in Nigeria.

The event will take place at the State Theatre in Pretoria on the 15th of August, which is significant in and of itself because the city of Tshwane is a mecca of jazz that has given us legenda like Dr Phillip Tabane, Bra Moss Mogale and Bra Vusi Mahlasela amongst many!

Nominees

The following is a full list of Nominees who will be celebrated on the day:

Public vote categories

Best Jazz SongThis is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BS?) to 40439. (R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

Salphina Kadiaka - Pasopa Driver (BS1) Wendy Allen Twyford - Ain't No Sunshine (when he's gone) (BS2)* Mdu Mtshali - Okae Molao (BS3)* Lefa Mosea - Unonkala (BS4)* Kabelo El Chen Mogale - iShoba Labangoma (BS5)* Lindi Ngonelo - In a Man's World (BS6)* Wowo Mndau - Spontaneously So (BS7)* Bonginkosi Yeko - Mahayihayi (BS8)

Best Jazz AlbumThis is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BJ?) to 40439. (R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

Matshawandile Yenana - Way Out Is In (BJ1) Kabelo El Chen Mogale - El Chen (The Unfinished Story) (BJ2)* Lindi Ngonelo - In a Man's World (BJ3)* Kabelo Boy Mokhatla - Dot Series (BJ4)* Siyanqoba Mthethwa - Inevitable (jazz edition) (BJ5)

Best African Jazz Album/ArtistThis is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BA?) to 40439. (R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

Berima Amo - Fake Flowers (BA1) Sibusiso Lerole - Tribute to Jack Lerole (BA2)* Apiwe Bubu - Reflections of a Sound Mind (BA3)* Bonginkosi Innocent Yeko - Xigaza Jazz Vol 1 (BA4)* Kabelo El Chen Mogale - El Chen (The Unfinished Story) (BA5)* Christine Kamau - Wednesday Afternoon (BA6)* Siyanqoba Mthethwa - Inevitable (jazz edition) (BA7)* Isaiah Katumwa - New Days (BA8)* Fanie Sandile Dick - Away from sorrows (BA9)* Dotun Bankole - OLÙGBÀLÀ (BA10)* Ola Onabulé - It's Never Over (BA11)

Best International Jazz Album/ArtistThis is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BF?) to 40439. (R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

Daniel John Martin - Pardon My French (BF1) Isaiah Katumwa - New Days (BF2)* Tutu Puoane - Wrapped in Rhythm Vol II (BF3)* Ola Onabulé - It's Never Over (BF4)

Best Radio Station Promoting JazzThis is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BR?) to 40439. (R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

Mams Radio 92.9 (BR1) Urban Edge Radio (BR2)

Jury categories

Best Contemporary Jazz AlbumThis is a Jury category

Wendy Allen Twyford - Reimagined Mdu Mtshali - Okae Molao* Bokang Ramatlapeng - Qalo

Best Traditional Jazz AlbumThis is a Jury category

Sibusiso Lerole - Tribute to Jack Lerole Kabelo El Chen Mogale - El Chen (The Unfinished Story)* Mawatla Ledwaba - Ledwaba Ndebele* Bonginkosi Yeko - Xigaza Jazz Vol 1

Best Male Jazz ArtistThis is a Jury category

Mdu Mtshali Sibusiso Lerole* Kabelo El Chen Mogale* Kabelo Boy Mokhatla* Matshawandile Yenana* Bonginkosi Yeko

Best Female Jazz ArtistThis is a Jury category

Salphina Kadiaka Wendy Allen Twyford* Katalia* Lindi Ngonelo* Tutu Puoane

Best Newcomer in JazzThis is a Jury category

Katalia - Mme Waka Sanele Mfene - The Age of Knowing - EP* Thapelo Khumisi - City Of Roses* Lindi Ngonelo - In a Man's World* Mawatla Ledwaba - Ledwaba Ndebele* Nokuthula Fundama - Siyaphambili

Best International Jazz Collaboration Album/SongThis is a Jury category

Mdu Mtshali ft. Legendary Eddie Parker - Okae Molao Kabelo Boy Mokhatla - Dot Series

Issued by Mzantsi Jazz Awards Company