The highly acclaimed jazz vocal group UCT Jazz Voices, directed by Amanda Tiffin, will perform well-known jazz standards and South African favourites arranged for jazz choir, in what promises to be thrilling and unique concert. They will be joined by woodwind specialist Mike Rossi who has recently returned from two European tours that included performances in England, Austria and Italy.

The programme will include items such as As Time Goes ByDon’t Get Around Much AnymoreWhen I Fall In Love (featuring the vocal ensemble with rhythm section), and a choice of a cappella songs. They will also feature South African composers such as Themba Mkhize and Busi Mhlongo, and some surprises from the 21st century pop repertoire.

The UCT Jazz Voices comprise five of the best Jazz Singing students at UCT, under the leadership of well-known jazz artist, Amanda Tiffin. This small vocal ensemble was established in 2010, primarily as a learning tool for students of Jazz Singing, but they far exceeded expectations and quickly become a top class jazz vocal group in the tradition of the Manhattan Transfer and the New York Voices. Offering an exciting blend of close harmony in the old jazz tradition, and youthful energy, the UCT Jazz Voices perform a range of repertoire from jazz classics, South African standards and re-imaginings of current radio hits. The ensemble was selected as the best UCT Jazz Ensemble in 2010, and they have continued to impress with their excellence and professionalism in a variety of contexts. They performed for Symphonic Rocks in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2011 and 2012, backing 12 top SA Artists, alongside a 60-piece orchestra. The group was invited to perform their own concert as part of the Jazz at the Nassau concert in 2011 and 2012, and appeared as special guests on the annual Jazz in The Park concert and at St George’s Cathedral as part of the Raise the Roof concert series.

Admission is free and no booking needed. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact the GIPCA office on 021 480 7156 / fin-gipca@uct.ac.za.

Amanda Tiffin graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1999 with a Masters Degree in jazz composition and vocal performance. She has gone on to become one of Cape Town’s best-loved vocalist-pianists, and a respected Musical Director/Arranger, orchestrator and composer, recently joining the South African College Of Music at the  University of Cape Town as the Head of Jazz Singing. A versatile artist, Tiffin has performed extensively in varying genres, appearing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and touring regularly as a jazz artist in Japan. She has recorded 3 albums, the most recent with her Asia-based jazz group, the a.s.k trio. She is Musical Director/Arranger for the award-winning a Capella group, Not The Midnight Mass, who released their new studio album Hot Cross Nun last year.

Mike Rossi is Professor in Jazz at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town, and gives regular international performances and workshops. He is the first recipient of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, and serves as President of the South African Association for Jazz Education. Rossi has produced several publications of advance music and original compositions arranged for mixed ensemble, a number of recordings, and has performed with the likes of David Liebman, Aretha Franklin and the Boston Big Band. Rossi plays Rampone & Cazzani Hand-Made Italian Saxophones.

Video recording of UCT Jazz Voices with Mike Rossi:

Start: 24 Oct ’12 8:00 pm

End: 24 Oct ’12 9:30 pm

Cost: Free

Category: 

Organizer: GIPCA

Email: fin-gipca@uct.ac.za

Venue: Hiddingh Hall

Phone: +27 21 480 7156

Address: Google Map UCT Hiddingh Campus, 31 Orange Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa