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The University of Cape Town's College of Music Wraps Up Our Jazz Appreciation Month Celebration

Anton Kruger

Cape Town, South Africa is home to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, so it’s no wonder that the largest jazz school in the region is also in Cape Town.

The jazz program at SACM is in its 30th year, and was founded by Cape Town Native Professor Michael Campbell after he graduated from the University of North Texas and began his music career in the United States. Students come to the school from all over South Africa and neighboring countries.

The UCT Big Band, directed by Campbell, comprises students from freshman through senior years, and is a flagship for the program. As well as keeping the jazz tradition alive, Campbell brings indigenous music into the big band format and style, with arrangements by himself, colleagues and students over the years. The band is featured annually at the Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival.

Credit Anton Kruger
Zoe Modiga from the University of Cape Town's Vocal Jazz Department

The UTC Big Band Jazz Pioneers are featured for Jazz Appreciation Month performing Bra Ntemi’s “Kwela,” and the UTC Jazz Vocal Department brings us Winston Mankunku’s Ngozi’s “Yakhal’inkomo,” as arranged by student Zöe Modiga, who also sings and plays guitar on the piece.

Listen to UCT's music on 88.3FM or in the playlist below

Carolyn's career in radio spans well over two decades, most of which have been spent wrapped up in the world of Jazz. It always seems to start with college radio, and for Carolyn that was no exception. Little did she know then that the music she was being introduced to at the University of Wisconsin campus station would remain a near constant in her life. Upon moving to New York City in 1993, it just so happened that a temp agency placed her in a very sweet spot - at WQEW-AM where she worked in the programming department under the tutelage of Program Director Stan Martin and alongside Jonathan Schwartz and other legendary radio hosts. It was there where her love of jazz vocalists began, not just on the radio, but also by seeing many perform live.