As Cape Town’s Jazzathon’s African Celebration and Music Exchange prepares to go live, come Thurs 22 June, all the way through to Sunday, 25 June 2023, the reasons to be cheerful are plentiful thanks to this year’s stellar line-up.
Think the legendary American guitar maestro, Stanley Jordan who will also be speaking at the Music Exchange Conference, with Marc Marot, Sipho Mabuse, SAMRO, Spike Ballantine, John Fishlock, Neil Johnson, Trevor Jones, Lesley Wells, Siphokazi Jonas and more with the #MEX23 conference running from Thursday 22nd June morning 10am till Saturday midday at the Roxy Review Bar.
This is a line-up of stellar world class speakers.
Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World in Goodwood, Cape Town, is the space for a fun-filled weekend designed to knock music lovers’ socks off for Jazzathon.
Think Jimmy Dludlu, Kyle Shepherd, The Lady Day Big Band, Chad Saaiman, Seth Grey, Sarah-Jane, Youngsta, and The Black Ties, for Jazzathon.
That’s Jazzathon’s commitment to delivering quality productions, armed with over a quarter century’s investment in maintaining and growing South Africa’s love of popular jazz.
Add Cameron Ward, Don Vino and Jonathan Rubain to the mix, and winter looks to be anything other than frosty, especially if the Jazzathon Allstar Band has anything to do with proceedings.
Pop, Jazz, RnB, Hip Hop, and Soul all promise a look in at Jazzathon 2023 if promotor and organizer Craig Parks has his way. “It’s our 26th jive around the block,” Craig reminds. “This is not our first, nor our last, attempt at raising the bar in delivering exactly what the audience wants and expects to hear the very second they arrive.
I caught up with Chad Saaiman who is the band leader for the Chad Sessions featuring Chad, Seth Grey, Sarah-Jane, YoungstaCPT, and The Black Ties.
He hosts this mega band on Saturday Afternoon at 5pm at Jazzathon
What is your purpose?
My purpose is to entertain.
What does music mean to you?
Music has been my life, my career and my love. In essence, music is everything to me.
My music is about…
Love, life, and questions.
What is your motto?
Make a living, living.
Fame is about…
…the extension of the art and the connection to the supporters. A way to inspire, be heard, and share.
Retirement will happen when…
…I’m no longer on this earth.
I don’t do…
…fake content.
I would love to co-write with…
H.E.R
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
…few hours away from Cape Town, without WIFI and any noise. Generally during winter.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
The ability to add joy, happiness and smiles to people’s daily lives.
The song you must do during every show?
PLAY ft YoungstaCPT
Any funny moments on stage?
Most shows with The Black Ties. Usually some fantastic commentary during performances.
My heroes are…
…mostly creatives, such as Pharrell Williams.
My style icon is…
My mother, and David Beckham. (In no particular order)
Which living person do you admire most and why?
Trevor Noah, he has built an incredible career and stood up for something, when most fall for everything.
What is your most treasured possession?
My daughter, Summer.
It’s your round; what are you drinking?
Black Americano or a glass of red, Cinsault.
Dream gig to do?
Tiny Desk.
What makes you stand out?
My skill set across different spheres of entertainment.
Any nicknames?
CS. C-Sizzle. Chado. Chaddy.
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
I would play football.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Calm. Hard-working. Chatty. Productive. Fun.
Five must have songs on your Spotify playlist please
Stevie Wonder – Do I Do
Eric Benet – The Last Time
Toto – Rosanna
Jacob Collier – In Too Deep
Tower of Power – So Very Hard to Go
Greatest Movie Ever Made?
The Usual Suspects.
What book are you reading?
What’s Your Vibe? – Craig David
What song changed your life?
Ebony and Ivory. Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney
Who do you love?
My fiancé, my daughter and my family.
What is your favorite Word?
Quintessential.
Top of your bucket list?
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
Your greatest achievement?
Coming out of Covid19 with more than before.
What do you complain about most often?
“I have a lot of admin to do today”
What is your biggest fear?
Not reaching my full potential.
Happiness is…
…a state of mind.
On stage, I tend to…
…be a bit more confident than off stage.
The best life lesson you have learned?
Everything is seasonal.
What has been your favorite journey so far?
Being a father to my daughter, Summer.
Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?
I work with the Tygerberg Children’s Trust, showing up in whatever way I can. More recently, wrote a song for World Preemie Fest (Premature Babies) called “Ready”
Wishes and dreams?
That all good people succeed with happiness and prosperity.
YouTube links
Social media links
https://www.instagram.com/chadsaaiman/
https://www.facebook.com/chadsaaimannew
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