The South African jazz scene grew in popularity through performances in nightclubs, and other major venues during the time of the 1950s. It forms a large part of South African culture, through anti-apartheid protest from individuals like Hugh Masekela and Kippie Moketsi (Jazz Epistles).

Due to government censorship, a massive exodus occurred and many black jazz artists left the country in search of work and audiences; and so there has always been a high demand for affordable, small-scale jazz entertainment in Johannesburg particularly.

On the first and third Wednesday of every month, Stanley Beer Yard will host the Corona Busking Sessions; drawing on jazz’s status as a national art form and part of South African cultural history. Busking sessions were once common occurrences in Johannesburg and there is a pressing need to entrench the local jazz scene and create an interface between real world jazz and practical music education.

The busking sessions will begin with opening performances by top young SA jazz musicians, namely award winning Jazz Guitarist Vuma Ian Levin (winner Keep an Eye International Jazz awards, Dutch Jazz Awards, Semi finalist Montreux Socar International Jazz Guitar Competion, Dutch Eindwerk Prijs winner, SENA electric guitar competition finalist, Standard Bank South African Jazz Youth Orchestra); multi-Award winning Bassist Benjamin Jephta (2016 SAMA Nominee, Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year 2016, SAMRO Competition 2nd place), Trumpeter Marcus Wyatt (SAMA winner and 11 time SAMA Nominee) and top South African Drummer Peter Auret (SAMA Winner).

After these performances, the busking session will be open to all music students and anyone who would like the opportunity to busk along with professional musicians and take the opportunity to play in front of a live audience in a great venue is most welcome. Any form of music is allowed.

Stanley Beer Yard will also be hosting the Corona Jazz sessions in the same attempt to tap into the demand for live jazz. These sessions will run on the second and last Sunday of every month and will be hosted by award-winning guitarist Vuma Ian Levin. The concert will feature an alternation line up of trios, performing songs from the standard South African and American Jazz repertoire.

Featuring the top young South African Jazz musicians on the scene, in alternating trios drawing from:

Vuma Levin (Guitar); Benjamin Jephta (Bass); Bokani Dyer (Piano) - Winner the Standard bank Young Artist Award, Winner SAMRO Piano Competion, Nominee SAMA awards 2016; and Thandi Ntuli (Piano/Voice) – Metro FM Awards Nominee, SAMA Nominee. The concert promises to provide world-class entertainment.

                                                           Vuma Levin

Stanley Beer Yard and Corona are hoping to make this beloved and historical music accessible by hosting these live jazz sessions at Stanley beer Yard in 44 Stanley, Milpark.

The first busking session will take place on Wednesday 23 March from 7pm – 10h30pm.

The first jazz session will take place on Sunday 2^nd April from 2pm - 5pm.

For bookings, call Stanley Beer Yard: 011 482 5791 or email stan@stanleybar.co.za