UCT Big Band Heritage Day Celebration, 2025 UCT Jazz Festival

UCT Big Band Heritage Day Celebration
2025 UCT Jazz Festival
Baxter Concert Hall
24 September 2025

Directed by Justin Bellairs

The UCT Big Band has been part of Cape Town’s jazz
scene for more than thirty years, having maintained
a consistently high standard of performance to date.
It is one of the few performing groups in South Africa to
concentrate on the most contemporary sounds in modern
big band jazz, and bringing the full big band sound to South
African music. The group regularly features singers from the
jazz programme. The typical concert repertoire will feature a
variety of big band jazz ranging from classic swing to the most
contemporary jazz/rock and Latin fusion styles, including original
material arranged by notable South African jazz composers
and arrangers.

DEDICATED TO SAMUEL KRUGER
:
Sam Kruger has been a constant pillar of strength in the
College, in a quiet way. Since his early days as a general
departmental worker, one could rely on him for solutions
to all manner of problems, within the perceived scope of his
duties or otherwise. In establishing Jazz Studies beginning
1989, we walked a long road together. His help and friendship
was invaluable to me, given my limited institutional knowledge
and experience at that time. Over the years we worked on
college concerts, UCT Big Band tours, festivals and outside
gigs too many to recall: whether dealing with technical or
human issues, his comprehensive ability and good nature
was a source of confidence for everyone involved. Sammy has
been much more than a colleague to me for over thirty years,
through good and some difficult times. It’s been a pleasure, and
I wish him all the best joining me in retirement.
MIKE CAMPBELL

MC Alden Clapper

PROGRAMME

Big Dipper
Composed by Thad Jones

Sugar Shake
Composed by Errol Dyers
Arranged by Darryl Andrews
Featuring Cole Krieling Guitar


Bayathetha
Composed by Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis
Arranged by Mike Campbell
Featuring Kgoerano Lebambo Vocals


Renaissance Man
Composed by George Whitty
Arranged by Katy Racionzer

Utopian Sunset
Composed by Darryl Andrews
Featuring Aviwe Macutwana Trombone


Thou Swell
Composed by Lorenz Hart & Richard Rogers
Arranged by Bill Holman
Featuring Sazi Tshwele Vocals


Sermon
Composed by Mike Campbell


Yehlisan’umoya
Composed by Busi Mhlongo
Arranged by Amanda Tiffin
Featuring Siya Kawana Vocals


A Children’s Song
Composed by Bob Mintzer


I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me
Composed by Clarence Gaskill & Jimmy McHugh
Arranged by Darmon Meader
Featuring The UCT Jazz Voices


Smack Dab In The Middle
Composed by Charles E. Calhoun
Arranged by Darmon Meader
Featuring The UCT Jazz Voices