The launch of Rhythms in Black and White: A Visual Journey Through the World of Jazz at the 2024 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz was more than just a celebration of a book — it was a milestone in South Africa’s cultural landscape. As the first photography collection wholly dedicated to jazz, it brings an essential visual and poetic narrative to a music genre deeply rooted in the country’s identity. The exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre on 27 and 28 September not only attracted jazz enthusiasts but also connected art, music, and storytelling in a way that was profoundly moving.
The book launch, held as part of an exhibition, was one of Brandhill Africa’s flagship projects under the Biashara Services and Products Africa (BiSPA) Conference and Exhibition. This series of quarterly and annual hybrid events began on 10 December 2020, with the most successful edition taking place on 5 May 2022 during the Africa Month celebrations in Johannesburg. The keynote address at this event was delivered by Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
*** Photo credit: Arts TV ***
Rhythms in Black and White represents a fusion of two powerful art forms — Siphiwe Mhlambi’s evocative photography and Saul Molobi’s expressive jazz poetry. Each image in the book captures the depth, emotion, and spontaneity of jazz, while Molobi’s poetry brings to life the rhythm and mood of each scene. Together, they form a narrative that transcends the auditory experience of jazz, inviting the audience into a world where the visuals and words create a multi-sensory journey. This is not just a photography book; it’s a historical document of jazz’s impact in South Africa, its evolution, and its cultural significance.
The exhibition space on the third floor of the Sandton Convention Centre was a fitting setting, offering concert-goers an immersive experience that paralleled the performances happening below. Icons like Dr Nduduzo Makhathini, himself a celebrated figure in the jazz world, joined in, with Siphiwe Mhlambi personally walking them through the pages of the book. This one-on-one interaction added a personal touch to the launch, making it more than just an exhibition — it became a shared experience between artists and their audience, between jazz as a sound and jazz as a visual art form.
This deep connection to the world of jazz is what made the launch such a pivotal moment. Jazz lovers from all walks of life engaged with the work, reinforcing the idea that jazz is not only music but a way of life, a conversation, and a shared cultural expression. The book, with its promotional softcover copies available on-site and the anticipation of the hardcover edition launching in October, became the must-have item of the event.
The hardcover edition, which will be available at the end of October at a discounted price of R350 (before reverting to the regular price of R395), is set to be a collector’s piece. This pre-launch pricing reflects the anticipation and excitement that the book has generated. It has also prompted an outpouring of pre-orders, further proving the hunger for a work that not only celebrates jazz but also preserves it through visual storytelling.
The success of the launch was further elevated by the media’s enthusiastic coverage. With 702 radio station, SABC’s Morning Live, and the Sunday Times giving extensive attention to the event, the book’s reach extended far beyond the exhibition walls. The involvement of these leading media outlets helped to amplify the book’s importance in South African cultural circles, signaling a shift in how jazz is being archived and celebrated.
Following the excitement at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Rhythms in Black and White continued its journey with a second launch on 29 September at the Untitled Basement in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, as part of Siphiwe Mhlambi’s Expressions series. This event offered a more intimate setting, where the deeper layers of the book were unpacked in a conversation between Mhlambi and veteran author, journalist, and cultural activist Sandile Memela. Their dialogue delved into the artistic process behind the book, highlighting the synergy between Mhlambi’s lens and Molobi’s pen, and the emotional core that jazz brings out in their work.
*** Photo credit: Arts TV ***
Adding to this discourse, cultural commentators Bongani Madondo, Leslie Dikeni, Frank Horley, and Saul Molobi offered their interpretations of the book, contextualising its relevance in today’s cultural scene. Each speaker contributed to a broader understanding of how Rhythms in Black and White isn’t just a book about jazz — it’s about the cultural fabric of South Africa and the stories that jazz, as a musical and social movement, continues to tell.
In the end, both launches — at the Joy of Jazz and at Untitled Basement — were a resounding success. They not only celebrated the release of the book but also elevated it into a cultural event that brought together the jazz community, media (702 and Sunday Times in addition to SABC’s Morning Live tv programme) and cultural critics in a shared appreciation of the genre. Rhythms in Black and White stands as a testament to the power of jazz, photography, and poetry to capture the heart and soul of a movement, making it a vital addition to any jazz lover’s collection.
Tujenge Afrika Pamoja! Let’s Build Africa Together.
Enjoy your weekend.
Saul Molobi (FCIM)
PUBLISHER: JAMBO AFRICA ONLINE
and
Group Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Brandhill Africa™
Tel: +27 11 759 4297
Mobile: +27 83 635 7773
Physical Address: 1st Floor, Cradock Square Offices; 169 Oxford Road; Rosebank; JOHANNESBURG; 2196.
eMail: saul.molobi@brandhillafrica.com
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