Salt & Vinegar

Review

The band was started in 2001 by Jannie 'Hanepoot' van Tonder at the well-known Cape Town music school the Jazz Workshop, he is still a teacher at the school having taught many of the musicians in the band which started life as Jazz Workshop Biggish Band in deference to their rehearsal venue. The whole idea was to perform works by South African musicians and writers giving new life to some of those well-known and not so well-known songs and tunes in the big band jazz format. Jannie has worked with many of the legendry SA jazz performers down the years and this is his way of showing respect to those musicians. The band also has many talented songwriters within there ranks and this has seen new material and works being born out of the love and enjoyment by members of the band.

This project is a labour of love for all involved and once again proves that with a will and support from all of the individuals in the band this CD might not have seen the light of day. As with most live recordings it is difficult to produce the best quality of recording and this one is no exception to all the other live recordings that are available from overseas today. The quality of the music, musicians if top class and is a job well done. The song writing is good with some really memorable pieces add to the bands repertoire. All in all a joyous celebration of music the South African songbook.