A Great Day in Newtown: Historic Photoshoot for Kippie Moeketsi's 100
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but on Saturday, 20 September 2025, in the historic Market Theatre Precinct in Newtown, a picture will frame more than a thousand notes. Around a hundred of South Africa’s jazz players, veterans and youngsters, will gather for a photoshoot and jam session in memorial tribute to pioneering modern jazzman, Kippie “Morolong” Moeketsi.
The saxophonist was born in George Goch, Johannesburg 100 years ago, on 27 July 1925. He passed away on 27 April 1983. His career stretched from early kwela music, through historic bands like the Harlem Swingsters, participation in South Africa’s first LP by Black musicians, Jazz Epistles Verse One, the King Kong musical, work with Abdullah Ibrahim and, in total, more than 50 recordings. Kippie is hailed by generations of South African players as helping to shape the country’s modern jazz sound, and as a mentor and teacher.
Now, to honour this legacy in the year of Kippie’s centenary, internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer, Siphiwe Mhlambi, is convening a gathering of players at the Market Precinct, around Kippie’s statue, for a historic photoshoot and jam session. Music director will be saxophonist and composer, Khaya Mahlangu. The team for the event also includes broadcaster Nothemba Madumo who hosts a jazz show on Radio702 and CapeTalk and whose company 4everJazz has been creating content and events that promote jazz music, culture and preserving its legacy.
The Market Theatre Foundation, which is the custodian of the building that once housed the famous Kippies Jazz Club in Newtown, has been generous to partner with the team to celebrate Kippie Moeketsi’s centenary and make the event possible.
Mhlambi says, “In 1958, American photographer Art Kane assembled more than 50 jazz musicians in Harlem for an iconic image, usually called ‘A Great Day in Harlem’, that captured the American jazz community of that era: everybody from Dizzy Gillespie to Thelonius Monk. I hope our photoshoot for Kippie won’t only be a fitting tribute to a towering musical presence, but will create a similarly iconic image of our jazz landscape today—the seasoned veterans and the youngsters, men and women, who are shaping the unique sounds of today’s South African jazz.”
To preserve the legacy of Kippie Moeketsi and the significance of the iconic photograph, the team intends to produce merchandise for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Johnny Mekoa School of Music for the benefit of music students with instruments and tutors.
The photoshoot will take place from midday until mid-afternoon, followed by a jam session at The Market Theatre from 3pm until 5pm, focusing on Kippie’s compositions and repertoire. Come and enjoy the free jam session; register for your free ticket at Webtickets.
WHEN: Saturday, 20 September 2025
WHERE: Market Theatre Precinct, Newtown, Johannesburg
TIME: Jam Session starts at 3pm
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Helga Klizanie
0844003003