Jill Scott Bows out of Cape Town Jazz Festival

From Capital FM Nairobi
by Laura Walubengo, 14th March 2012

Musician, actress and spoken word poet Jill Scott has pulled out of the upcoming annual Jazz celebration in Cape Town due to a movie role that she is taking up.

Efforts by the concert organisers espAfrika to try and work around Scott’s shooting schedule flopped after they were informed on Monday that it would be impossible.

“We are extremely disappointed that Jill Scott has cancelled her performance and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are in the process of trying to secure another artist,” said Rashid Lombard, CEO of espAfrika.

According to a statement dated March 7 from Scott’s management, the movie was due to begin filming towards the end of March.

“It was with great regret that we must cancel Jill Scott’s performance on 31 March 2012… Ms. Scott has been offered and accepted a movie role which begins filming at the end of this month. The rigorous taping will preclude her from travelling during this time and through the end of April.”

The Jazz fest organisers have been working since receiving the news to try and work around her schedule but this proved difficult.

Lombard has however stressed that revellers will still enjoy more than 40 great acts lined up for the festival, and assured that the success of the fete will not be affected by the cancellation.

Several international acts have been scripted for the show, including Dave Koz, and a home-grown collaboration between (Bruh) Hugh Masekela, Thandiswa Mazwai and Zolani Mahela.

In Johannesburg meanwhile, multiple Grammy award-winner Usher Raymond dazzled about 30,000 fans at the Orlando Stadium for Hansa Festival of Legends last weekend.

After a build-up of several hours with top local talent, Usher finally came on stage at the stadium in Soweto, and had fans screaming with a series of fleet footed dance moves, pyrotechnics and wardrobe changes.

The American is reported to have affirmed his reputation as one of the greatest entertainers with renditions of You Make Me Wanna, Yeah! and Let It Burn.

“Soweto, I’m gonna take ya’ll back with me,” Usher said amid roars of appreciation.

The cream of SA’s musical talents, Gang of Instrumentals, Liquideep, L-Tido, Zakes Bantwini and Teargas with Oskido, Vigilante, Capital and DJ Tira on the decks, warmed up the crowd before the main act.