Capturing a sound in an image

From rare Ernest Cole prints to iconic portraits of Makeba and Masekela, this show captures the musicians and the energy of live music itself

- Kibo Ngowi

Jazz has to be seen live to be appreciated. That might sound like a platitude that could apply to any genre of music but, for me, it was a revelation. As a person whose ears were more finely attuned to rap and rock from a lifetime of listening, every attempt I made to listen to jazz in the privacy of my home ended in failure. Until I experienced it live.

Some of the best moments of my life have been seated in a dimly lit room in front of a big jazz band. Nothing compares to seeing a sixor seven-piece ensemble playing at the peak of their powers, with an audience congregated to witness the holy communion of drums, bass guitar, double bass, piano, sax and trumpet.

It was only once I had worshipped at the church of a sold-out jazz gig, and sat in the presence of the genre being created live and in the moment, that I was able to appreciate it.

I had this on my mind last weekend when I encountered the booth hosted by Cape Town gallery Peffers Fine Art at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair.

What I found was an exploration of South African jazz seen through the discerning eyes of legendary photographers. It was an encounter with a hard-to-describe beauty, an attempt to capture the ephemeral magic that makes this genre of music so special.

The booth, a selection from the larger Back of the Moon exhibition, was the brainchild of Ruare Peffers, often working with Matthew Blackman of the publisher Blackman Rossouw. Theirs is a fascinating, almost informal collaboration, where Blackman delves into the historical depths, unearthing narratives and forgotten faces, and Peffers brings a curatorial vision to the surface.

The idea for this compelling booth began somewhat organically.

"Initially, it started with Ruare representing the Alf Kumalo estate and then also working with the Baha Archives," Blackman recounted.

A casual conversation about the Journey to Jazz Festival in Prince Albert led to the idea of an exhibition.