International Jazz Day Events at Lafayette College

International Jazz Day at Lafayette College 

Events on Thursday, April 30 

In recognition of the U.N resolution that  April 30 serve as a day of performance and discussion on the subject of international jazz, several events at Lafayette will explore cross-currents in music, history, and politics of international performance. 

Visiting artists Keenan Ahrends and Sisonke Xonti, leading voices in contemporary South African music, will give a lunchtime talk on their work and the international scene in the Gendebien Room at Skillman Library 12:20pm. That evening, after a day of collaborative work with students, Keenan and Sisonke will join as guests with the Lafayette College Jazz and World Music Ensemble (Jeff Watts, director), for their performance at the Williams Center for the Arts (8pm). 

A special additional event will be held the night before, on Wednesday April 29.  Keenan and Sisonke will give a performance of original music together with Lafayette faculty member Jeff Tain Watts and bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell Le Pere, at the Lafayette Bar in downtown Easton. 

These events have been made possible by the departments of Music, Africana Studies, and History, and with special support from the office of the Provost at Lafayette College. 

Additional support provided by the South African Freedom Day Program at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Please contact Akiva Zamcheck (zamcheca@lafayette.edu) with any questions. 

Reports From Johannesburg: 

A Lunchtime Talk With Keenan Ahrends & Sisonke Xonti 

Composers Keenan Ahrends and Sisonke Xonti will give a lunchtime talk about their lives in music between Cape Town, Johannesburg, and in the international scene, including some live musical demonstrations. 

Thursday, April 30 at 12:20pm 

Gendebien Room at the Skillman Library 
Lafayette College 

Lafayette Jazz & World Music Ensemble 

Directed by Jeff Tain Watts 

W/ special guests: Keenan Ahrends and Sisonke Xonti

Thursday, April 30 at 7pm 

Williams Center for the Arts 

Local Event: 

Southern Smile at the Lafayette Bar 
Easton PA 

Wed, April 29 at 8pm 

KEENAN AHRENDS

SISONKE XONTI

ZWELAKHE-DUMA BELL LE PERE