MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Several letters of complaint were received after the MosJazz Festival which took place at De Bakke beach in Mossel Bay from 22 to 25 March.
It was decided not to publish any more letters, but to allow the organiser a chance to state his case. Linda Sparg interviewed Clarence Ford, an executive member of Camissa Solutions, the company which produces MosJazz and Jazz on the Rocks on the West Coast.
Q: There were complaints about the MosJazz noise levels. What will you be doing about the sound next year?
A: We will only programme "live" and amplified music until 24:00. We will black out the stage at this time and urge attendees to participate in other satellite events that will be established all over town. We will empirically establish the noise we generate compared with the noise generated by the Buffalo Rally and the Dias Festival.
Q: You have mentioned De Bakke beach forms a natural amphitheatre. Could this have amplified the sound?
A: The amphitheatre itself cannot amplify sound, but does capture it and roll it back towards to the sea. So it does not dissipate as normal sounds in a flat landscape would.
Sound tends to linger longer because of the topography. This does bring great acoustic value to music being generated. It is a slight and natural reverberation pleasant to the ear. It does explain the appreciation expressed about the clarity of sound by residents in the D'Almeida, De Bakke and Santos areas.
We have had plenty of comments about the pleasantness, quality and nature of sound achieved.
Q: There were many comments about the excellent line-up of bands and artists at the fest. How did you go about selecting acts? What was the balance or mix you wished to achieve?
A: The event showcases South African talent in a 95/5 percentage split, between SA and international artists. We will have international talent at the event in 2019. This will be backed by South African musicians, enabling talented SA artists to establish their CVs in relation to international benchmarks.
A sizeable component of talent (20%) will be drawn from the local (Southern Cape) communities. We aim to develop this talent and showcase it on our many other stages, locally and internationally, in time.
Development will include encouraging local artists to compose their own music, and to use our azanzimusic.com platform and other means to commercialise it. We will also look to establish new music schools or bolster existing music schools, especially in historically disadvantaged communities.
Clarence Ford
Q: Word has it the fest was not profitable?
A: Our business model requires investment for up to five years, before a return is realised.
In the case of Mossel Bay we project a break-even by year three. Investment is by way of applying profits from other events, which have reached maturity. With new annual events, it is incumbent to do justice to all elements of production. No cent is spared in delivering a quality experience to festival attendees.
We want every attendee to come back and sell the experience to friends and family. This business model has served us well. The respect of your audience is central to achieving sustainability. The production plans for 2019 include advanced audio visual and lighting techniques, that will leave Mossel Bay spellbound.
Q: Are there any plans for a greater variety of food next year: more suppliers, takeaways or food stalls than this year?
A: We are very disappointed with the food service achieved this year. The 2019 edition will seek to deliver a compelling culinary experience, alongside the music on offer. This important element completes the world class festival experience we are committed to offering in Mossel Bay.
Q: What else will you do differently next year?
A: We are committed to ongoing interaction with the communities impacted by the event. We believe that we will deliver substantial and real economic impact, that will transform lives. We would like to interact with communities to show them what we represent, value and do. Still, the proof is in the pudding, Mossel Bay will come to see how MosJazz impacts lives positively. Social cohesion is an outcome of all our endeavours. Skills transfer is central to all effort. The youth of Mossel Bay deserve this opportunity.
Q: Why did you choose Mossel Bay specifically?
A: Mossel Bay has proved to have a dynamic municipality in tourism-related matters. It understands instinctively how tourism can impact the town and create jobs. We work with many municipalities. We have not encountered a "can do" attitude from other tourism authorities as we have in Mossel Bay.
The people of Mossel Bay and the Southern Cape are warm and hospitable. It is the kind of welcome that any visitor, regardless of where they come from, will appreciate. The pristine natural splendour of Mossel Bay and its temperate climate collude to present the perfect destination for jazz lovers from all over the world.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
1. We use a tool created by the South African Cultural Observatory to objectively measure economic impact.
2. Attendees of the festival buy food and pay for accommodation, petrol and so forth in the town.
3. Some are tempted to come back to visit the town at another time in the year.
4. Local business and individuals become service and product providers to the festival.
5. The local cultural industry is stimulated.
6. International and national marketing brings the town into contact with a growing base of jazz lovers, who travel to enjoy unique experiences.
7. We will have an international television news network present in 2019 to cover the event.
8. SABC2's Morning Live will broadcast from the event next year.
9. A group of international academics have evaluated our effort in Paternoster (Jazz on the Rocks) in relation to social investment. We have put young people through various courses at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The same thing will happen in Mossel Bay and they are now seeking to help with such projects in Mossel Bay.
Anyone is welcome to contact me (071 038 3332, clarenceabrahamford@gmail.com).
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