Launch: Mzantsi Jazz Awards 2024

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At an intimate and exclusive event attended by media and industry practitioners at the Soweto Theatre, South Africa’s premier awards for Jazz announced the start of their 8th Season.

The aim of the Jazz awards is to recognise the best of local and International Jazz. ‘While Jazz is at the centre of our struggle for freedom from Apartheid, with stalwarts like the late Jonas Gwangwa, Bheki Mseleku and Hugh Masekela, it remains a marginalised art form in South Africa, with challenges like lack of venues to perform Jazz and the marginal focus on it in mainstream media,” says Founder of the Mzantsi Jazz Awards, Dr Mongezi C. Makhalima.

While the purpose of the event was to announce the opening of Season 8 of the MJA’s, it was also used to announce a new campaign to be launched around the city, Making Jazz Sexy Again. This is in preparation for the 31st of August 2024 when the 8th Mzantsi Jazz Awards will be staged. “The aim is to revive the interest in jazz not just as a musical form – but as a cultural norm as it was when people used to go out dressed up for a night of Jazz in the City!” says Dr Makhalima.

Artists and recording companies are invited to submit work produced during 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 for an award.

Nominations may be submitted online by completing a nomination form on www.zajazzawards.co.za. The closing date for nominations is 31 May 2024.

An official announcement of nominees will be made through direct communication with the artists, recording labels, producers and also through announcements in the media and website publishing by 28 June 2024.

The 8th Mzantsi Jazz Awards are scheduled to take place on 31 August 2024 at the Soweto Theatre.

Categories

Best Jazz Album

Best Jazz Song

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Best Traditional Jazz Album

Best Female Jazz Artist

Best Male Jazz Artist

Best International Jazz Album/Artist

Best International Jazz Collaboration

Best Newcomer in Jazz

Best Radio Station promoting Jazz

Best Jazz Venue/Club

All nomination process enquiries can be directed to Douglas Maximus at info@zajazzawards.co.za or call +27 12 751 7608.

ISSUED BY THE MZANTSI JAZZ AWARDS COMPANY