Standard Bank’s involvement in jazz started in 1997 with the Jazz Festival in Grahamstown. Twenty years on and Standard Bank is regarded by all in the music industry as the leading sponsor and supporter of jazz having made a major contribution in providing this formerly neglected genre with a much needed boost through annual showcases and music development programmes and workshops. Joy of Jazz made its first appearance at the State Theatre in Pretoria in 1997. The first Standard Bank Joy of Jazz took place in Newtown three years later and has grown to become the country’s most significant jazz festival. Artists have come from around the globe, however, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz has consistently showcased and celebrated South Africa’s home-grown talent. The festival has contributed to the cultural exchange between artists, and many international performers have met their local counterparts and subsequently collaborated on various projects. Our jazz and music sponsorship across the continent extends to Ghana, Uganda, Mauritius, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Angola, Kenya, Swaziland and Lesotho and these continue to grow in popularity and stature.