A weekend of exceptional vibes: highlights from the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz

If you weren’t at the “Standard Bank Joy of Jazz” this past weekend, you missed out on great vibes and spectacular music.

For three days, the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg came alive with music lovers cheering, singing and soaking up the performances.

With four stages, there was plenty of choice, though the toughest part was deciding where to be when two performances clashed.

Beyond the music, the hospitality stood out, with extras like a Coca-Cola photo booth where you could get your name or favourite phrase printed on a can. 

Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, taking photos and enjoying themselves. It was more than a festival; it was a celebration of jazz music.

One of the weekend’s standout moments came from Amanda Black. Her set was both uplifting and emotional - a reminder of how powerful music can be in bringing people together. 

Classics like “Kahle” created a wave of joy, while her performance of “Amazulu” closed her slot on a high note with everyone on their feet, voices raised in unison as they sang along.

The venue was filled with love, gratitude and even a few tears of happiness.

Another unforgettable highlight was US artist Meshell Ndegeocello, who brought her spoken word to life. At the same time, the rest of the band gave mesmerising neo soul vibes, performing at the Conga Stage on Friday evening. For those unfamiliar with their work, it was a revelation. 

From the first note, the crowd - including myself - was hooked. The performance was immersive and the kind of set where an hour passes in what feels like minutes. 

The rich instrumentals ringed flawlessly throughout their songs, and all eyes eventually turned toward the guitarist, who delivered a spellbinding performance. 

He played with such precision, and every bend of the string felt purposeful. That was one good performance of a timeless genre 

Day one fans and even those who were seeing the band for the first time were left astounded, discovering new sounds to take home and obsess over. It was easily one of the festival’s defining performances.

The festival was not just about the artists; it was also about the people in the audience. “Independent Media Lifestyle” caught up with Advocate Dali Mpofu, who was celebrating his birthday at the event.

He was quick to point out some of his favourite acts, such as Nduduzo Makhathini and the Ababhemu Quartet, as a personal highlight.

The advocate also praised Siya Makuzeni and Nomfundo Xaluva, calling their back-to-back sets “beautiful, beautiful.” 

Reflecting on the event overall, Mpofu noted how the event has reached new heights over the years. “It’s now part of South African culture,” he said, joking that if the festival ever stopped, “We’ll strangle them.”

That sense of cultural importance is hard to miss. The “Standard Bank Joy of Jazz” has been running since 1997, growing from a small gathering of enthusiasts into one of the country’s biggest music festivals. 

Today, it draws more than 36,000 people annually and continues to spotlight both international stars and rising local talent. 

It’s more than just entertainment, but a platform that has launched careers and cemented jazz as a living, evolving part of South Africa’s musical identity.

This year was no exception; whether you were there for homegrown stars, international acts, or simply the chance to be swept up in the energy of it all, the festival delivered.

By Sunday night, it was clear that “Joy of Jazz” remains one of those events that every music enthusiast should experience at least once in their lifetime.