Artist description World Jive is a fusion of South African township and Soweto musical styles that fuse with North American jazz and alternative pop.

Music Style South Afro-jazz fusion

Musical Influences South African folk-township music, fusion jazz, classic jazz, classical styles

Similar Artists Johnny Clegg, Paul Simon, the African Jazz Pioneers, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Count Basie, Duke Ellington

Artist History World Jive is an all Canadian band which got started up in 1998. It is the brainchild of band leader, composer, arranger and lead vocalist Rob Best. "World Jive" is the result of three primary styles: South African, North American jazz and world pop music. All of these sounds are present in the driving rhythmic, celebrational sounds of World Jive. The mid-size big band instrumentation-5-piece rhythm sect., 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones - makes for an especially jubilant effect with great dance beats. World Jive has appeared in several music festivals in British Columbia CANADA from 1998 to the present with great success. Much of the last half of 1999 and the beginning of the year 2000 was spent in production of their first CD entitled "Motsoala(Cousin)". World Jive gave a special CD release performance featuring many of the tracks on their new album at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on May 5, 2000. Their most recent concert was as an opening act for Alpha Ya Ya Diallo at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver as part of the International Du Maurier Jazz Festival 2000 Vancouver Canada.

Group Members alto sax: Cory Weeds, tenor sax1: Graig Robertson, tenor sax2: Jerry Cook, trumpet 1: Kevin Lee, trumpet 2: Henry Christian, trombone 1: Ralph Eppel, trombone 2: Wayne Ablitt, electric guitar: Ron Thompson, percussion: Nick Apivor, drums: Mike Devison, standup bass: Paul Blaney, keys/piano/aux.percussion/lead vocs: Rob Best

Instruments saxophones, trumpets, trombones, vocals, guitar, piano/keys, bass, drums, marimba and percussion.

Albums one only, "Motsoala(Cousin)", 2000, Best is Better Records, independent

Press Reviews "gloriously brassy interpretation of township jive... a performance as warm and celebratory as the day itself...impressive chops all around" Georgia Straight,June '98"World Jive ... helped provide the beat that got hundreds of people dancing at the 11th annual Mission Folk Music Festival."July '98

Location Vancouver, British Columbia - Canada

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