The Orbit Jazz Culture
Joburg Today – April 2018
#InFocus – The Orbit Jazz Culture
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The Orbit: the 209 great clubs strong – live Jazz in 2018
Downbeat Magazine – February 2018
“Featuring Live Music nearly every night of the week, The Orbit is a welcoming, regional Jazz spot. The owners have been presenting jazz in the area for more than a decade”
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8 Coolest Things to Do in Johannesburg Now
Jetsetter – 27 November 2017
While all eyes are on Cape Town and the splashy new Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa, Johannesburg, the city’s gritty, sprawling big sister, has a newfound sophistication that might surprise you. Here are our top things to do in Joburg now.
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Top 5 Johannesburg eating & drinking experiences
JHB Live – October 2017
JHBLive list of places that not only offer a good meal, but that can unexpectedly turn into a bloody good time.
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The Orbit Bistro
In Your Pocket – 27 July 2017
Braamfontein’s The Orbit Jazz Club and Bistro is a Joburg institution, having built a reputation as a home for local jazz music lovers and Joburg visitors in search of South African sounds.
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The Orbit: the 195 places around the world to hear live Jazz in 2017
Downbeat Magazine – February 2017
“Featuring Live Music nearly every night of the week, The Orbit is a welcoming, regional Jazz spot. The owners have been presenting jazz in the area for more than a decade”
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Progenitors roaming in the NEWS realms
Consciousness – 14th February 2017 | by Xolani Mthombeni
Artistry is a faculty that requires dexterity and variables, that will perfect and extend its complexity. During the continuous harnessing, finding a path….
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Celebrating Miriam Makeba – a Legendary SA Jazz Songstress
City Buzz – 23rd February 2017 | by Tshepiso Mametela
Braamfontein – The Orbit Jazz Bar and Bistro in Braamfontein is set to host the mercurial talent of Zenzile Makeba, granddaughter of Miriam Makeba on 2 March….
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Remembering Bheki Mseleku – a Jazz icon
City Press – 11th September 2016 | by Lloyd Geyde
Cape Town – South African jazz and American jazz have always had a close relationship. From Hugh Masekela inheriting Louis Armstrong’s old trumpet…
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Estelle Kokot: Looking for her own voice – Jazzaholic
Artslink.co.za – 9th September 2016 | by Don Albert
Tired of just singing the standards and having backing musicians, she delivered a lesson in taking such songs as “I’m Beginning to See the Light”, “Both Sides Now” and “Honeysuckle Rose” among others…
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Prince Lengoasa´s Soul Shower
Global Rhythms – June 8, 2016 | by John Wilpers
Performing exquisitely is one thing; performing exquisitely while also inspiring is another, very special thing altogether…
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Bomb shelter Beast
Mail and Guardian – 18 April 2016 | by Lloyd Gedye
A gypsy family of maverick musicians…
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Reedman Salim Washington blows fire and tears
Mail and Guardian – January 2016 | by Gwen Ansell
Violence and murder – of Marikana miners and foreigners – inspired works by saxophonist Salim Washington.
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Science and Cocktails with Jazz Johannesburg
Africa business website of KLM/AirFrance | February 2016
Listening to a scientific lecture in an ambient-lit nightclub while drinking a cocktail. In South Africa they do it.
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Science & Cocktails: E = My Cosmo x two
Ufrieda Ho | 02 March, 2016 –Times
Science isn’t all stuffy and inaccessible all of the time, sometimes it can be uncomplicated, fun even.
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Concerts SA | Supporting Live Music | March 2016
Published on Feb 29, 2016
The music industry is taking a bashing and many artists are seeing their revenues and opportunities decline – an especially sad state of affairs in South Africa where the struggle for freedom was driven by the arts.
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Jazz It Up At The Orbit
Joburg.co.za – 23rd of February 2016
I don’t know why it took me so long to get myself to The Orbit but now that I’ve finally been, I’m kicking myself for not going sooner!
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Bell le Pere plays at Jo’burg’s The Orbit
Mail and Guardian – 5th of February 2016
Bell le Pere is a helluva name but so is the music he played at Jo’burg’s The Orbit
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The Orbit Featured by Downbeat Magazine
Downbeat Magazine – February 2016
The Orbit listing among 193 Best Jazz Venues in Downbeat Magazine February 2016
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Something to Shout about
Artslink.co.za – 29 August 2015
Jazzaholic By Don Albert
www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=38630
Jazz in Johannesburg
Downbeats – July 2015
Chords & Discords
By Don Albert
www.downbeat.com/digitaledition/2015/DB1507/single_page_view/10.html
Jazz and Cocktails send SA scientists into Orbit
Mail & Guardian – 21at of August 2015
by Sarah Wild
http://mg.co.za/article/2015-08-21-jazz-and-cocktails-send-sa-scientists-into-orbit
Jazz in Johannesburg
Downbeats – July 2015
Chords & Discords
By Don Albert
www.downbeat.com/digitaledition/2015/DB1507/single_page_view/10.html
Jazz in Johannesburg
Voice of America – October 2014
By Heather Maxwell
http://blogs.voanews.com/music-time-in-africa/2014/10/05/johannesburg-jazz-today/
Hello Joburg – Arts & Culture
Q&A with Aymeric Peguillan – Co-owner & Manager of the Orbit
June 2015
Read Q&A with Aymeric Peguillan
The Orbit & SANYO (South Africa National Youth Orchestra)
Classic Lifestyle – Classic FM
June 30th, 2015
Dan Sermand Co-Owner/Partner – The Orbit & Sophia Weltz MD of the SANYO
http://www.classicfm.co.za/classic-lifestyle/podcasts/2015/june/30-june/the-orbit-and-sanyo-south-africa-national-youth-orchestra/view
Orbit Jazz Club: A place for all to play
Financial Mail – June 11, 2015
By Gwen Ansell
http://www.financialmail.co.za/life/music/2015/06/11/orbit-jazz-club-a-place-for-all-to-play
The Orbit does it again
By Don Albert – Artlink
April 2015
http://artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=37721
The Orbit Anniversary Edition
By JazzE Magazine – April 14, 2015
By Etienne Shardlow
The Orbit is Johannesburg’s newest jazz club, it opened its doors in March 2014…
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Jazz is Without Borders
Johannesburg, 13 March 2015
By eNCA – E.News
http://www.enca.com/media/video/jazz-without-borders-–-birthday-celebrations-orbit
The Orbit hits the right note
Sunday World – March 2015
By Boitumelo TLHOAELE
http://www.pressreader.com/bookmark/MHE20KIQ6S28/
Black Comedians in South Africa Put Power in the Punch Lines
The New York Times, March6 , 2015
By BAZ DREISINGER
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/arts/television/black-comedians-in-south-africa-put-power-in-the-punch-lines.html?_r=2
The Orbit – Home of Jazz
Hello Magazine, March 2015
http://www.gohello.co.za/pages/read/3854/The%20Orbit%20-%20Home%20of%20Jazz
Food for Thought: Jazz goes into Orbit
By Justice Malala, February 5, 2015
http://www.financialmail.co.za/opinion/foodforthought/2015/02/05/food-for-thought-jazz-goes-into-orbit
Five great Restaurants with Live Music in Johannesburg
January 16th, 2015
by Tamsin Green
http://www.eatout.co.za/article/five-great-restaurants-live-music-johannesburg/
Jazz goes into Orbit
Sunday world – September 28, 2014 by Boitumelo Tlhoaele
Click here to download the PDF
South African Jazz in Orbit
Jazz Life – Spring 2014/Summer 2015 by Sam Mathe
Click here to download the PDF
The Orbit Jazz Club & Bistro in Braamfontein
October 7th, 2014 By Leila Saffarian
http://www.eatout.co.za/article/orbit-jazz-club-bistro-braamfontein
What it takes to open a Jazz Club In Joburg
JHB Live – August 2014
By Percy Mabandu
http://www.jhblive.com/kultcha/features/what_it_takes_to_open_a_jazz_club_in_joburg/220418
THE ORBIT – LIVE MUSIC & BISTRO By Ngqiliyomzi Mqalo
Way Magazine
22 April 2014
http://waymagazine.co.za/lifestyle/the-orbit-live-music-bistro/1014/
The Orbit – Joburg’s New Home Of Jazz! By Crystal Espin Joburg’s
Darling – July 2014
http://www.joburgsdarling.co.za/post.aspx?id=889
Nightlife : For those sleepless night The Orbit – Music without borders From Alexia Leitich
Hello Johannesburg – July 2014
Click here to download the PDF
All you need to know about The Orbit jazz club
By Ayanda Sitole Drum – July 7, 2014
http://drum.co.za/entertainment/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-orbit-jazz-club/
The Orbit Jazz Club & Bistro
Vuvuonstyle – May 2014
From Bathabile Lekhuleni
http://www.vuvuonstyle.co.za/post/86093186316/the-orbit-jazz-club-and-bistro-ive-always
Jazz spun into an ideal orbit
Mail & Guardian – June 2014
From Chris Roper
Jazz Club holds fundraiser for the family of striking mineworkers
From Mining news
May 2014
http://www.miningne.ws/2014/05/23/jazz-club-holds-fundraiser-for-striking-mineworkers
Maria João – unique and breathtaking!
Artlink – May 2014
From Don Albert
http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=35382
A taste of Portuguese Jazz
May 2014 – Artslink.co.za
By Don Albert
http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=35343
The Orbit Jazz Club & Bistro
Jazz Life – April 2014
By Sam Mathe.
http://jazzlife.co.za/the-orbit-jazz-club-and-bistro/
The Orbit Live Music & Bistro
Way Magazine – April 22, 2014
By Either Way
http://waymagazine.co.za/lifestyle/the-orbit-live-music-bistro/1014/
Jazz: The Crypt & The Orbit
Business Day Live – April 16th 2014
From Gwen Ansell.
http://www.bdlive.co.za/life/entertainment/2014/04/16/jazz-the-crypt-and-the-orbit
New Jazz joint “The Orbit” opens in Braamfontein
Aymeric Peguillan Owner-Partner/MD & Feya Faku – SABC News (sabcdigitalnews) – March 15th 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KwamKqsMGk
The Orbit – A new hangout for Joburg Jazz Lovers
By Sbonokhule Magcaba – Enca – March 2014
http://www.enca.com/life/orbit-new-home-joburg-jazz-lovers
Jazz: The Pulse of the City
From Tendai Dube – 24th of March 2014
http://witsvuvuzela.com/2014/03/24/jazz-the-pulse-of-the-city/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jazz-the-pulse-of-the-city
Two nights at The orbit
From Don Albert
http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=35138
Bringing Jazz back to Jozi
Review from Johannesburg Live – March 2014
http://www.jhblive.com/reviews/bars/bringing_jazz_back_to_jozi/174108
The Orbit makes space for Jazz in Joburg
From Ntombenhle Shezi – 16th of March 2014
http://mg.co.za/article/2014-03-16-the-orbit-makes-space-for-jazz-in-joburg
Jazz: The Orbit promises to be a treat for Joburg Jazz lovers
From Gwen Ansell – Business Day – BD Live – 12th of March 2014
http://www.bdlive.co.za/life/entertainment/2014/03/12/jazz-the-orbit-promises-to-be-a-treat-for-joburg-jazz-lovers
The Orbit: Jazzing up Joburg
From Craig Wilson – writer – 12th of March 2014
http://craigwilson.net/2014/03/12/the-orbit-jazz-bistro-johannesburg-braamfontein/
Re-birth of live jazz in Africa’s music capital as The Orbit club opens in Johannesburg
- Braamfontein venue offers a new home for musicians and lovers of the life of jazz
- Feya Faku Quintet to headline Friday 14th March launch, programme highlights to include Uhadi with Sibongile Khumalo Estelle Kokott and Concorde Nkabinde
JOHANNESBURG [February 28th 2014]: On Friday 14th March, new Jazz Club and Bistro The Orbit opens it’s doors at 81 De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, marking a new chapter in the life of the South African jazz movement.
Despite a rich jazz heritage, Joburg has seen much-loved clubs shutting down across the city over the last decade. Musicians, aficionados and visitors to Joburg have spent years searching for one-off performances and relying on annual festivals.
Now, finally, The Orbit offers a permanent space where Joburg’s jazz community can be sure of the highest quality live music, warm hospitality, fresh bistro food (and free Wi-fi), Tuesday to Sunday from 11.30 am each day until the music ends. The club will provide a stage for South Africa’s established and up-coming musicians as well as visiting international stars, to jam, collaborate and play special one–off shows.
Aymeric Péguillan Manager and MD of The Orbit says the ethos is simple, “the music and the vibe are everything and the musicians are the real VIPs, so we’ve spent a lot of time listening to what they think makes a great jazz club. The vision is to fuse the spirit of legendary Jozi clubs like Kippie’s and Bassline, with places like the New Morning in Paris, the Blue Note in New York and the Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott’s in London.
“The name comes from a 1958 Clark Terry album ‘In Orbit’,” explains Péguillan, “because it’s the creative high of live jazz that will make the atmosphere in an intimate spot like The Orbit absolutely electric. We humbly invite lovers of the life of jazz to help create a new home, where the art form is respected and legendary nights can happen”.
The March / April 2014 launch programme features among others the Feya Faku Quintet, Estelle Kokott and the Uhadi project lead by Sibongile Khumalo, as well as live Salsa, blues, Afrobeat and the all new Orbit Big Band.
With two stages split over a two level converted warehouse in the Braamfontein District, the club is part of the next wave of the city’s creative revival, surrounded by a daytime scene of coffee shops, record stores and start-up businesses web and by a bustling nightlife of hotels, restaurants and other clubs.
Back to Péguillan. “The Orbit will be 100% behind talented young South African musicians”, he enthuses, “the next generation of South African jazz greats will have a stage to hone their craft and learn from the stage veterans.”
Lunchtime gigs for up to 100 guests will be hosted downstairs with students from jazz schools invited to play. The project has been worked in conjunction with the Wits Jazz studies department.
Evening performances will play to up to 200 seated guests on the main stage upstairs which has a permanent grand piano (Yamaha C3) and back line, part of the club’s meticulous approach to sound design to ensure the best live and recorded sound. Toms Music is the main partner of The Orbit and has secured a quality backline and sound system for the club.
Péguillan had long dreamed of creating a home for jazz in the city, having run Peg’s Cosy Corner, a tight little jazz club in Troyeville between 2000 and 2002. Together with fellow owners Dan Sermand and Kevin Naidoo, the team has considered every detail, to ensure that musicians have the perfect space to perform in and guests can relax and enjoy the hospitality, with the freshest bistro food and the finest wines and liquors served by attentive staff.
Sermand, who splits his time between Joburg and another great jazz capital, Stockholm in Sweden, is Executive Producer for musicians including Nils Landgren and Magnus Lindgren and worked with Quincy Jones to stage the ‘Quincy Jones Celebration’ at the annual Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival in 2012.
Sermand says, “We’re jazz fanatics who’ve lived in Joburg and hung out in some of the world’s great clubs, so we are passionate about creating a home the South African jazz movement deserves”.
Memberships will soon be available offering a range of benefits to loyal lovers of jazz.