Cape Town

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25 Dec 2008

Happy New Year, Peace, Love & Respect

22 Dec 2008

Kyle Shepherd releases Debut Album!

Here in Cape Town we have "Eerste Nuwe Jaar", "Tweede Nuwe Jaar" and now get ready for "Derde Nuwe Jaar"

Kyle Shepherd, one of South Africa’s foremost young jazz pianists, will release his much anticipated Debut Album entitled "fineART" at a concert to be held at 7:30pm on Saturday, 03 January 2009, at the SABC Auditorium, Beach road, Sea Point, Cape Town.

"fineART" which features Shepherd on piano, alto sax, vocals & percussion, Buddy Wells (tenor sax), Claude Cozens (drums) and Dylan Tabisher (double bass), consists of 11 tracks, all of which are Shepherd’s compositions with the exception of a Cape Traditional song, “Die maan skyn so helder”.

Explaining the title of the Album, Shepherd says: “My concept is summed up in this poem
of mine:
fineART is the soil in which the seed of creativity manifests itself
this is music from home
why wouldn't it be?
why shouldn't it be?"

Shepherd goes on to say: “My music is a direct representation of my traditions and the lineage of artists that came before me, and I am merely a portrait of their mastery.”

In his Foreword to the Album, internationally acclaimed South African music legend, Zim Ngqawana had the following to say about Shepherd's music:
"Authenticity is another word for originality and this is clearly evident in Kyle’s compositions, arrangements and improvisation. He has managed to find a balance between the intellect and intuition. Kyle is a meditator and a poet."

Whilst only 21 of age, Shepherd’s achievements already include performances with the likes of Errol Dyers, Robbie Jansen, Louis Moholo, Mccoy Mrubata and Zim Ngqawana.

In 2005, Shepherd won the FMR/Pick ‘n Pay Travel Award. As part of the 2008 Cape Town International Jazz Festival Programme, Shepherd’s Quartet performed his original compositions in a virtual “Jazz Conversation” with students from the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies in New York.

While the Album does reflect a more modern approach to improvised music, Shepherd’s compositions remain unashamedly rooted in his cultural music traditions by drawing on the unique rhythms, harmonies & melodic devices that are so unique to home, Cape Town, South Africa.

The Album Launch Concert features Shepherd’s fineART Quartet with Buddy Wells (sax), Shane Cooper (double bass) and Claude Cozens (drums).
Concert Details:
Date: 7:30 pm, Saturday, 03 January 2009
Venue: SABC Auditorium, Beach Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
Tickets: R50 at the door or call 072 351 5204 or Email: info@kyleshepherd.co.za

http://www.kyleshepherd.co.za

12 Dec 2008

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra - 36th Annual Christmas Concert

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra 36th Annual Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street, Boston, Maine
Tickets: $15 at the door
Information: 617-776-8778 or 617-452-3205

Join the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra for music in the spirit of the season as the band presents its 36th Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 14, 7:30 pm, at Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street, Boston. The band will play selections from Duke Ellington’s Second Sacred Concert, original compositions by Aardvark founder and music director Mark Harvey, and fresh arrangements of carols from the band’s three Christmas CDs. Featured pieces will include O Come O Come Emmanuel, The Carol of the Birds, Ellington’s The Shepherd, and Harvey’s Benedictus, a perennial Aardvark Christmas favorite.

Continuing the band’s 36-year tradition of donating proceeds to a worthy cause, this year’s concert will benefit the arts and social outreach program of Emmanuel Church.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra held its first concert December 23, 1973, at the Church of the Covenant in Boston as a benefit for the Chelsea Fire Fund. Every year since then, the band has given a Christmas concert to support a deserving cause. Past beneficiaries have included Doctors Without Borders, American Friends Service Committee, Rosie’s Place, Pine Street Inn, Streetpeople Unlimited, and the homeless outreach programs of Emmanuel Church.

Winner of the 2000 Independent Music Awards, the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is known for its exhilarating concerts spanning the jazz spectrum, from the music of Ellington and other jazz greats to original works by founder/music director Mark Harvey, to performances with film, dance, and poetry. The band has premiered more than 100 works for jazz orchestra and has released 10 CDs (Leo Records, 9Winds, other labels) to international critical acclaim, including the latest disc, American Agonistes (Leo Records), which Billboard.com called “a stunning hour of music that is in turn beautiful, poignant and raucous.”

Music director Mark Harvey has recorded with George Russell (Blue Note) and Baird Hersey (Arista/Novus) and performed with Gil Evans, Claudio Roditi, Howard McGhee, Sam Rivers, and many others. He is a winner of awards from ASCAP, the National Endowment, and Meet-the-Composer-Lila Wallace/Reader’s Digest Commissioning Program. Dr. Harvey teaches jazz studies at MIT and lectures widely on American music, religion and culture, with a specialty in Ellington’s sacred music.

Emmanuel Church is known for its long tradition of social action and social services, as well as its extensive arts and music programs, including a 30-year relationship with Emmanuel Music and also wide-ranging jazz concerts and programs.

THE AARDVARK JAZZ ORCHESTRA is managed exclusively by AMERICAS MUSICWORKS
Rebecca DeLamotte, managing director, 617-776-8778. Email: delamotte-amw@comcast.net
www.aardvarkjazz.com

08 Dec 2008

ROSE KORBER’S 17th ART SALON

15 December 2008 to 11 January 2009
- one of the key events in Cape Town’s visual arts calendar -

R O S E *K O R B E R a r t
17th A R T* S A L O N

The summer season sees many new and exciting events in Cape Town, but, for art lovers, possibly none are awaited with as much anticipation as the annual ART SALON, curated by noted Cape Town art dealer and consultant, Rose Korber. This year the Salon promises to live up to the high reputation of its previous incarnations, when it celebrates its 17th anniversary.


The venue will be ROSE KORBER ART, 48 Sedgemoor Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town. The exhibition opens on Monday 15 December 2008 and will run until Friday 11 January 2009. Hours are: 10am to 6 pm daily.

The ART SALON – widely regarded as one of the key events in Cape Town’s visual arts calendar – aims to present a comprehensive and varied overview of the current state of South African art. Artists featured include William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins, Willie Bester, Sam Nhlengethwa, Colbert Mashile, Richard Smith, Kevin Brand, Stephen Inggs, Robert Slingsby, Deborah Bell, Claudette Schreuders, Nina Romm and Wendy Anziska.

Since its inception in 1992, the Art Salon has been a major enterprise, bringing together – under one roof – a large showcase of quality artworks, in various media and styles. In keeping with international trends, this event sees a subtle shift towards the most cutting-edge art , while still maintaining its backbone of ‘classics’, such as John Kramer, Erik Laubscher and Peter Bonney.

With the current trends towards the Contemporary, younger artists, such as Pamela Stretton, Peter Eastman, Sanell Aggenbach, Dan Halter, Kate Gottgens, Jaco Sieberhagen, Penelope Stutterheime, Kathryn Smith, JP Meyer, Ryan Arenson and Andrzej Nowicki, are well represented.

In addition to the traditional genres of landscape and figurative painting, the Art Salon will also feature examples of some of the best in sculpture, photography, ceramics and contemporary Shangaan beadwork.

Leading ceramic artists on this year’s Salon include Louise Gelderblom, Astrid Dahl, Barbara Jackson, Hennie Meyer, Helen Vaughan, Ruan Hoffmann, Laura du Toit, Shirley Fintz and Yvette McGee; while photographers of note include Stephen Inggs, Dale Yudelman and Kathryn Smith.

According to Korber : ‘This year’s Art Salon promises to have a more focused selection, and is more directed towards the demands of the contemporary collector than ever before’.

‘Given the economic crisis facing the world’, she adds, ‘art, and especially South African art, seems to have weathered this storm amazingly well – against the most dire predictions’.

For further information about this exhibition, please contact Rose Korber or Valerie Botha at ROSE KORBER ART, Tel: 021 438 9152

Fax: 021 438 6262
Mobile 083 261 1173 or 082 781 6144
email:roskorb@icon.co.za
Website: www.rosekorberart.com

07 Dec 2008

Let’s Mix It 2.8 GLX (Fuel Injected)

Featuring

Gary Naidoo, Chad Abrahams
(with a cameo appearance by Julian Naidoo)

Written by Rafiek Mammon & Gary Naidoo

Directed by Rafiek Mammon

Baxter Concert Hall

16 December 2008 to 3 January 2009

Let’s Mix It 2.8 GLX (Fuel Injected) the much-anticipated 3rd incarnation of the popular Let’s Mix It brand opens at the Baxter Concert Hall for a season from 16 December 2008 to 3 January 2009. After successful, acclaimed runs of Let’s Mix It 1 and 2 which had audiences rolling in the aisles, the team is back in funnier and fresher form. Let’s Mix It 2.8 GLX (Fuel Injected) is written by Rafiek Mammon & Gary Naidoo and directed by Mammon.

In the saddle (or driving seat) once again is award-winning TV Talk Show host Hadji Fatgiyah Bardien, portrayed by the inimitable Chad Abrahams, who will be “interviewing” her international guests in her newly-renovated lounge/studio when the show celebrates its 3rd year as South Africa’s number 1 talk show on BEE-TV !!

Regulars like the endearing larger-than-life female Sumo wrestler (and now also personal trainer) Sisanda Gugushe, the lippy ex Miss Gay SA, Felicity Mybergh and (not-so-handy) handyman, Boeta Rajee return to the studio alongside Hadji Fatgiyah’s very odd guests – all played by the versatile Gary Naidoo. North Korean chef, Pi-On-Mi car mechanic-turned-chef is amongst the new guests. He is all about snails and spanners, while Hadji is about Malay curry and spices. Julian Naidoo, radio talk show personality also makes his debut on the show in a cameo appearance.

“In these uncertain times of fuel shortages, power outages and oil price hikes we are fuel-injected and firing on all 9 cylinders”, says Mammon. “Our aim this time is to push the envelope to comedic breaking points.”

“Included in the ticket price is a free workout for your stomach muscles! adds Naidoo. Let’s Mix It 2.8 GLX (Fuel Injected) in typical Cape Flats form, with a distinctive international flavour and promises to be a laugh-a-second bumpy ride. So, fasten your seatbelts. It is brand new – new set, new guests and no, you needn’t have seen the first two in order to understand this one!”

Ticket prices range:
Friday and Saturday R100;
Monday to Thursday R85;
Students and Pensioners R60 (throughout);
Block Bookings of ten or more R65 (available Mondays to Thursdays only);
Charities & Fundraisers R50;
Special New Year’s Eve gala performance R145.

Book at Computicket outlets or The Baxter Theatre Centre, at all Shoprite/Checkers outlets and on line www.computicket.com. For charities, fundraisers & block bookings contact Sharon Alexander on 021 685 7880 at the Baxter.

Some people have seen previous Let’s Mix It shows up to 9 times and the critics have raved so better book your tickets now !

05 Dec 2008

A call for music instruments


IMAD (The Institute for Indigenous Music Development), a non-profit organization, is calling for donations of music instruments for learners in its care.

IMAD provides music education and arts development for children and youth in disadvantaged communities. The programme is directed by long time music teacher and pianist George Werner, who also directs the Little Giants (http://www.littlegiants.co.za/), one of Cape Town's most renowned youth music initiatives. The Little Giants, and its younger version The Baby Giants, are the showcase music groups for the IMAD programme. IMAD learners have the opportunity to develop their music skills and qualify to enter either of these groups, apart from developing essential lifeskills in their quest to beat poverty.

IMAD presently offers music tuition to learners at two underprivileged schools, York Road Primary in Lansdowne and Eluxolweni Primary in Khayelitsha, with hopes of expanding to more schools. Learners desperately need instruments to help in their musical growth. This call goes out to anyone who is able to donate instruments, used or new, battered, bruised or shining, from among this list:

  • Trombones
  • Alto Saxes
  • Bass guitars
  • Acoustic guitars
  • Drum kits
  • Violins
  • Keyboards
  • Recorders

Instruments can be dropped off at either of the schools, or if you make contact with IMAD from anywhere in the world, we can advise on suitable arrangements for delivery.

Contact details
imad@jazz.co.za
+27 (0)73 182 5305 or +27 (0)21 637 4924

For more info on IMAD please check the entry From Baby Giants to Little Giants to Great Music Giants - IMAD

27 Nov 2008

WIN tickets to see EMBO - A Place in Time

EMBO - A Place in Time at Artscape

Through indigenous musical instruments, song and dance, beautiful stories of wisdom are related about the San and Xhosa nations and their virtues of UBuntu, (honouring people and their allegiances and relations with each other) ... in an ideal world... the world from the beginning of time ! Featuring DIZU PLAATJIES, Ibuyambo Ensemble, Maskandi waseEndulo, Utyityimbo Dance , HILTON SCHILDER (Guest Artists) and JazzArt dancers.

The production is researched and written by Fatima Dike and directed by Royston Stoffels.

A project of the Artscape Indigenous Arts Department.

Performance times are December 4 at 20:15, December 5 at 19:00 and Dec 6 at 14:00 & 19:00. Tickets cost R35. Book at Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Shoprite/Checkers outlets and on line www.computicket.com

To win a set of double tickets for December 4 or 5, email your name and contact number to capetownnatural@gmail.com with EMBO in the subject line. Also state which day you would prefer to watch the performance.

Hanepoot Big Band

Catch the Hanepoot Big Band, an 18-piece Big Band playing South African Jazz, live at Swingers, Wetton, Sunday, December 7 at 18:00.

The band features Kesivan Naidoo on drums, Shane Cooper on bass, Bruce Muirhead on guitar, George Werner on piano, Hanepoot van Tonder on trombone, Jasper Cook on trombone, Chris Tokalon on tenor sax, Storm de Klerk on also sax, Luanda Gogwana on trumpet.

Entrance R40

info: Nick 084 660 6158

26 Nov 2008

EMBO – A Place in Time

Through indigenous musical instruments, song and dance, beautiful stories of wisdom are related about the San and AmaXhosa nations and their virtues of Ubuntu in an ideal world … the world from the beginning of time. Presented by Artscape, EMBO – A Place in Time is an inspiring new work written and researched by Fatima Dike and directed by Royston Stoffels. It has a brief season in the Artscape Theatre from 4 to 6 December 2008 and follows on from Embo Khonnexion, a work-in-progress, documenting and presenting significant history for the theatre.

Featuring internationally acclaimed traditional music specialist, Dizu Plaatjies, who is also musical director, there is cast of over 30 musicians, singers and dancers that include the Ibuyambo Ensemble, Masilande Endulo and Umtyityimbo Dance Group. Guest artist, Hilton Schilder - another international icon is an accomplished jazz musician and recongised for the many musical instruments he plays, including the Khoisan mouth bow.

In search of their cultural roots, six young people embark on a journey of discovery and encounter the magical world of mysticism through a beautiful land of kings and kingdoms, rainmakers and traditional healers. But, they are confronted with many a strange phenomena, territorial war, death and destruction - shattering the ideal world where love, respect and the value of life once existed.

Travelling on this extraordinary expedition as narrators, are six young talented artists who themselves are discovering their own roots. For Abey Xakwe, Ntombekhaya Matayisi, Bukiwe Menziwa, Lungi Pinda, Melikhaya Tana and Masizole Marafana it’s not only an emotional experience but one of great importance as they relate and record history that may have got lost in the passage of time.

Initiating programmes to showcase indigenous cultures and traditions of the Western Cape through artistic products, Artscape continues to explore the cultural links between cultural diversity, dialogue and development as a means of jointly achieving a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual co-existence.

Generating a ‘cultural awakening’, this production is the 2nd part of a work-in-progress, and a journey where audiences will have opportunities to explore cultures that were never affirmed in the apartheid system. It is a valuable platform for learning, development, expression and healing through indigenous story telling, song, dance, and music.

Performance times are December 4 at 20:15, December 5 at 19:00 and Dec 6 at 14:00 & 19:00. Tickets cost R35. Book at Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Shoprite/Checkers outlets and on line www.computicket.com

Embo – A Place in Time is a project of the Artscape Indigenous Arts Department.

The production is researched and written by Fatima Dike and directed by Royston Stoffels.

Take the opportunity and see this unique production - book now !

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway's Summer Sunset Special

Hey, if walking up Table Mountain is too much of a physical effort for you, why not make use of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway's Summer Sunset Special.

From Saturday, 1 November 2008 until Saturday, 28 February 2009, after 18:00, pay R72.50 per person return; for children under 18 years, the return trip cost R38 per person. Note that the last trip up is at 21:00 and the last car down is at 22:00.

On New Year's Eve the last car up is at 23:00 and the last car down is at 1:00.

Note that the Cableway operates weather permitting.

For more info call 021 4248181 or
visit the website at http://www.tablemountain.net.

14 Nov 2008

Image Composite Editor - panoramic image stitcher

If you are looking for a utility to create a panoramic image from a few overlapping photographs, then here it is. Image Composite Editor (ICE) is a free editor which was developed by Microsoft Research.

The image in the title section of this blog is actually three separate photographs that were stitch into a panoramic image.

The link to download this free utility is available here.

Other interesting Microsoft photography links:
Microsoft Professional Photography
HD View
Photosynth

04 Nov 2008

Leslie Kleinsmith CD Launch - "All Wound Up"

Catch singer Leslie Kleinsmith at Hanover Street, Grand West for his cd launch on 8 November 2008. The cd is titled "All Wound Up". Appearing with Leslie will be Alistair Izobel, Ginger La Etto and Wilmot Fredericks.

Tickets Available through Computicket.
Ticket Prices: R130 - CD and entry
R60 - entry only.
Doors open at 18H00

01 Nov 2008

The Hanepoot Big Band Sunday Dinner Gig

Coming Sunday 2nd November 2008, The Hanepoot Big Band is starting a regular monthly South African Big Band Jazz slot at Swingers Jazz Club in Wetton (early Sunday evening 'dinner' gig: 6 - 9pm).

Swingers is a well established Cape Jazz venue, and has become particularly popular among jazz audiences and muscians alike for the regular Monday night jam sessions.

This Sunday HBB will be settling in with the Big Band featuring their usual line-up of soloists including Chris Tokalon on tenor, Jasper Cook on trombone and George Werner on piano, Storm de Klerk on alto, and watch out for drummer Andre Swartz who's been playing a few gigs with the band, including the White Shark Festival in Gansbaai last weekend.

As usual HBB will be performing an all-South African programme of big band jazz, including several compositions by Douglas Armstrong and Merton Barrow, and arrangements of tunes by Errol Dyers, Dudu Pukwana and Zakes Nkosi, including a brand new arrangement of another Marabi gem by legendary composer Zakes Nkosi, called "Jackpot".

Swingers is a great venue in the traditional jazz club mode. Tables and chairs, a bar, food and a fabulous vibe. Think Ronnie Scott's in London or the Village Vanguard in New York. Come and experience it for yourself! The gig on Sunday starts at 6pm and entry is R50.

Swingers is located at 1 Wetwyn Rd, Wetton. For those who have never been there, from the mountain side, you follow Wetton from Rosmead side, go past the racecourse, over the M5 bridge, and, as soon as you go over the next (railway) bridge, take the first turn right. Swingers is straight ahead of you. Turn right before you drive into it!

For further information please contact Swingers on 021-762-2443 or Nick Green on 084-660-6158 or 021-761-7740.

The Hanepoot Big Band:
Saxes: Storm de Klerk, John Ntshibilikwana, Chris Tokalon, Fred Block, Nick Green
Trumpets: Douglas Armstrong, Daniel Kaplan, Stuart Bowen, Dean Manuel
Trombones: Jasper Cook, Andrew O'Donoghue, Mike Nixon, Jeremy Thurgood
Rhythm (g, p, b, d): Colin Miller, George Werner, Sidney McKinnon, Ted Frazer

29 Oct 2008

Abdullah Ibrahim and The Cape Town Jazz Orchestra

Catch this one night only concert on 1 November 2008 at 20:00 at the Artscape Opera House
Featuring the Abdullah Ibrahim Trio with
Abdullah Ibrahim - Piano
Belden Bullock - Bass
George Grey - Drums

Plus
THE CAPE TOWN JAZZ OCHESTRA 14 Piece Orchestra
Featuring
Alvin Dyers and Emily Bruce

Tickets available from Computicket and the Artscape box office.

Ticket prices:
R180.00: Rows C to P and AA & BB
R150.00: Rows A & B, R to T and CC & DD
R120.00: Rows U to W and EE to GG

27 Oct 2008

The privilege of a tap for who?

The privilege of a tap is taken for granted by so many of us.

Thanks to this entry on BRAIN PICKINGS, I became aware of this free electronic version of the eye opening book "Blue Planet Run: The Race to Provide Safe Drinking Water to the World"

Please follow this link on BRAIN PICKINGS on how to obtain the book.

I would not mind to get it in a hard copy.

Why Links To Other Event Pages?

More than once I have been asked the question:"Why do you have links on your blog to other events pages when your aim is to advertise events on your own blog?"

Firstly, it is impossible for one particular site to carry all events and certain sites may only carry a particular type of event.

Secondly, the entertainment section of one of the local newspapers who previously was our main source for what is happening musically, was taken over by a company which is not based in the Western Cape. After the takeover, Cape Town based events got less and less coverage and that is still the status quo.

There is no doubt, the internet is one of the most ideal mediums to let people know about your event.

So, the aim is really just to get the word out...

19 Oct 2008

Khayelitsha Festival

Can you believe that Khayelitsha is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year.

Check out the Khayelitsha Festival Website to see what's happening.

15 Oct 2008

The Greatest Cape Town Concert @ Ratanga Junction

The Greatest Cape Town Concert is happening at Ratanga Juction - Walled City - on Sunday, 26 October 2008. This not to be missed music event will include a mix of adult contemporary music, jazz, goema, salsa and other latin.

Artists to perform at this concert include Sammy Webber, Richard Ceaser, Claire Phillips, Jonathan Rubain, Karen Kortje, VJR, Allou April, Airborne, Errol Dyers, Alistair Izobel, Luqmaan Adams, Rene Johnson and a special guest appearance by one of South Africa's favourite Jazz musicians.

Tickets are available from Computicket.
(Computicket and outlets at Shoprite, Checkers or Checkers Hyperstores)
Price:
From Computicket in advance: R135.00
At door on day of event: R150.00

Gates/Doors open at 11:00

From Baby Giants to Little Giants to Great Music Giants - IMAD

History
The Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (IMAD) was borne out of a need to provide music literacy training to youth in disadvantaged communities on the Cape Flats. The Institute is a natural outflow of an ever evolving music project called The Little Giants, established in 1999, which had a need for members with good musical skills. This structure has been developing since 2006 under the care of The Little Giants mentor and music director George Werner, and various individuals passionate about youth and arts development.

Vision
It is IMAD’s desire to provide disadvantaged youth in its care with the skills, information and opportunities to be able to function as able musicians, by providing a platform for artistic expression, broadening their life’s horizon and raising their prospects for attaining success in other areas of their lives.

Mission
Among others the Institute seeks to provide:
* disadvantaged youth with affordable and accessible music training in a variety of instruments
* a platform for the integration of youth from diverse social, religious and racial backgrounds through its various ensembles
* a platform for artistic expression and thus help to build confidence among youth who would otherwise not have the best of life’s prospects.

Why the need for IMAD?
In the absence of music development opportunities at Cape Flats most schools, IMAD is able to help fill this gap by providing training to Cape Flats youth within its catchment areas. IMAD assist youth in focussing their energies in life-enhancing ways.

Advantages of music education for the youth
Music is an outlet for youthful creativity; stimulates and enhances communication; builds personal discipline and leadership; develops important life skills; fosters concentration & commitment; can make a child take responsibility. Music is allempowering and, most importantly, makes you want to sing and dance!

IMAD today
The Institute has been running its pilot project at York Road Primary School, Lansdowne, Cape Town since April 2007, and soon expanded its operations to include Eluxolweni Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. It has since devised two phases of a structured music programme.

Phase 1 is a an introductory course aimed at teaching rudimentary music and identifying the candidates who will proceed to phase 2.

During Phase 2 candidates receive individual tuition on an instrument of their choice and rehearse once a week in an ensemble.

IMAD Achievements
Getting its development programme in place and off the ground was a considerable highlight.

The Institute incorporates a successful youth band (ages 13 – 19) named The Little Giants which has evolved into one of South Africa’s most significant grassroots based music projects. The group has a long list of achievements, including:
* appearances at and on many of the country’s prime jazz festivals and music stages
* a group CD release (Ungalibali - 2006) & performances on Winter in Cape Town vol.1 & Summer in Cape Town in collaboration with Jazz Potjie Projects
* selection of several members to the National Schools- & National Jazz Bands in Grahamstown
* overseas study and travel (Norway) for some of its members and professional success for other alumni

The Baby Giants is a junior youth band (ages 8 to 13) that has evolved over a number of years. This ensemble has made many public appearances.

people behind the scenes
IMAD has a management committee consisting of the following people, holding portfolios such as Education; Recruitment and Assessment; Logistics and Event Management; Operations; PR and Marketing; Finance and Planning; and Archiving. These
individuals are volunteers and come from a variety of professional backgrounds.

Duke Ngcukana, musician, school principal
George Werner, musician, teacher, mentor
Ann Barr, Director CT Big Band Festival
Ruywayda Mohamed, Administrator
Abdullah Amien,Project Manager, Nestle
Paul Sedres, UCT, Music Education & development
Colin Isaacs, Principal York Road Primary School
Geoffrey Goethem, Logistics Manager, Telkom

IMAD and the deserving many kids needs you!

Many of the kids going through the development programmes cannot afford a musical instrument or similiar training. There is always a need for funding and material support for the Institute to ensure its survival and growth. IMAD would appreciate any monetary or material donations, and support towards the following income- & asset-generating campaigns:
1. IMAD Adopt-a-Child
You can adopt any of our most needy learners by sponsoring a minimum amount of R100 per month for music lessons. There
is a desperate need for this.
2. Instruments - Any instruments, new or used, to be used by our learners.
3. Office furniture and stationary
4. A working computer with administrative softwares, printer, copier and scanner
5. Financial and practical assistance with the development of a website
6. Any cash donations (nothing is too small) to help sustain the Institute’s programmes and payment for a full time Office Administrator

Your financial or other contribution will assist in making it possible for this project to be a success

All enquiries regarding funding and donations can be directed to
Geoffrey Goetham
Cellular: 071 606 5593 or

Abdullah Amien at
Tel: 0827860137

imad@jazz.co.za


MUSIC AND ARTS DEVELOPMENT FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

Blog Action Day 2008

13 Oct 2008

Come Onshore With Offshore

Come onshore with Offshore for their album launch at the SABC Auditorium on Saturday, 18 October 2008, 20:00. Offshore is a jazz trio which consists of Martin Wolfaardt - Piano, Paul Gibbings - Contrabass and Jonathan Sweetman - Drums. For this concert they will be joined by Buddy Wells on saxophone and Marcus Wyatt on trumpet.

The Offshore Jazz Ensemble was formed in early 2004 and has provided a creative space for some of the top musicians from the Garden Route in collaborations deeply based in the jazz tradition and, in line with that tradition, always open to exploration into fusions with other genres, particularly world music, funk and reggae.

The ensemble has carved out a niche in the Knysna – Plettenberg Bay area, playing regular gigs at local restaurants and events such as the Whiskey, Whales and all that Jazz Festival. They have collaborated with visiting musicians such as Chris Tokalon, New York-based saxophonist Sam Thomas and leading interpreter of Thelonius Monk, Gary Wittner.

In late 2006 the trio began a musical relationship with the masterful classical and jazz guitarist Jonathan Crossley, playing a series of gigs including the MIAGI festival and the KKNK. They recorded with Crossley in April 2007 as the rhythm section of the Jonathan Crossley Electric Band on the album Funk for the Shaolin Monk.

Towards the end of 2007 a series of local gigs with Capetonian saxophonist extraordinaire, Buddy Wells and world-renowned Johannesburg-based trumpeter Marcus Wyatt exposed a natural resonance that has led to the recording of an album - Incident. This ensemble was proud to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2008.

The trio also works with vocalists Wendy Oldfield - who moulds her soulful voice gracefully into the jazz genre - and Haydn Gardner - an exciting songbook interpreter in the style of Frank Sinatra.

SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2008
BEACH ROAD STUDIOS SABC AUDITORIUM
209 Beach Road, Seapoint
Doors open 7pm, starts 8pm
Tickets cost R50

For more info contact Jonathan on 0781090707
jonnosweetman@gmail.com

10 Oct 2008

Cape Town International Kite Festival – 25 & 26 October 2008

Africa’s biggest kite festival – the Cape Town International Kite Festival will be ‘up, up and away’ on 25 and 26 October in Muizenberg, Cape Town. This feel-good family event is organised by Cape Mental Health in association with Heart 104.9 FM. This will be the fourteenth Cape Town International Kite Festival, and will once again be flying high, raising funds and promoting good mental health.

Professional kiters from Germany (Bernhard Dingwerth), Switzerland (Petra de Back), USA (Phil Broder, David and Susan Gomberg) and South Africa will be winging their way to Festival to display their amazing kite creations. Local visitors can bring along their own kites, make a kite at the kite-making workshops or just enjoy watching the colourful aerial extravaganza.

By filling the sky with kites, Cape Mental Health is making the world a nicer place – not only for the visitors to the Festival – but also for the thousands of people with mental disabilities who benefit from the organisation’s services every year. For people with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities, it’s all about BEING SEEN, BEING HEARD AND BEING INCLUDED – rather than being overlooked, underestimated, and discriminated against. It’s about the freedom to fly ‘up, up and away’ – and to reach heights that previously seemed unachievable.

Over thirty primary schools and schools for learners with special educational needs will be participating in the Edu-Kite Schools’ Competition. This culminates in a mass fly on Saturday lunchtime.

With food stalls, live entertainment, giant inflatables, kiddies’ rides, a craft market and the Healthy Mind, Body and Soul Expo there will be lots to interest and entertain the whole family. Heart 104.9FM will be broadcasting live on both days; come and meet the Heart 104.9FM DJs face to face.

Entry is R10 per adult and R5 per child, with all profits going to support the work of Cape Mental Health. The Festival will be open from 10h00 until 18h00 each day and takes place on the lawns surrounding Zandvlei, Muizenberg. There is lots of parking and easy access by train (False Bay or Muizenberg stations).

The Cape Town International Kite Festival 2008 is taking off thanks to support from Heart 104.9FM, Monitoring SA, Peninsula Beverages (bottlers of Coca-Cola), the People’s Post, HealthSystem Technologies and Western Cape Department of Education Safe Schools.

For more information visit http://www.capementalhealth.co.za/ or contact Event Co-ordinator & Festival Manager Shameemah Wallace on (021) 697 3566 / 072 222 6580 or Cape Mental Health on (021) 447 9040 / info@cmhs.co.za.

08 Oct 2008

CINDY BLACKMAN QUARTET

When I heard that drummer Cindy Blackman was going to be in town, I bought my ticket to go see her perform, within the next few hours. This was one act that I was not going to miss.

The Cindy Blackman Quartet performed as part of the music happenings of the PAN AFRICAN SPACE STATION. The quartet featuring Cindy on drums, Antione Roney(tenor saxophone); Carlton Holmes (piano/fender rhodes); George Mitchell (bass) had two stunning performances on 1 October 2008 and 3 October 2008 at the Slave Church Museum in Long Street, Cape Town. If it was not for another "had to attend" music event (Marimba Extravaganza), I probably would have attended both her performances.

Cindy is well known for touring and recording with Lenny Kravitz, but these two performances were very appreciative straight-ahead jazz.

She is given credit as one of a few drummers who can easily move from straight-ahead jazz to rock to funk and back again. Of her album Woks on Canvas, jazz critic Mike Zwerin said: "Some drummers act, some react. Some keep time, others create it. Cindy Blackman is among the few who can..." Cindy Blackman has also released an acclaimed drumming instructional video entitled Multiplicity.

Cindy and her band members are an easily approachable bunch of people. After their performances they mixed and chatted freely with the crowd. I had a good chat with Cindy and Antoine. Both of them are great buddies of one of our greats, Hotep Galeta and are very eager to return to South Africa to have a more extensive tour. Antoine mentioned that on his next visit he wanted to take a trip to the Eastern Cape to go see Hotep. His big concern was how is he going to get there from Cape Town. He was very surprised when I told him that he has a big choice - airplane, train, bus, car or boat.

Hey Cindy, you guys will always be welcome here.

04 Oct 2008

IMAD Showcase


The Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (IMAD) will host The Little Giants in their 2nd annual showcase concert at St Cyprians School in Gorge Road, Oranjezicht . Artists who will make guest appearances are Robbie Jansen, Alvin Dyers, Spencer Mbadu, Wayne Bosch, Duke Ncqukana and George Werner. Tickets to the event cost R60.

The Little Giants is one of the city’s renowned youth music groups, having plied their trade for the last nine years. This showcase celebrates the present edition of the band and some of the newer music performed by the group. The Little Giants regularly appear at the National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown and is a feeder group for the likes of National Youth Jazz Band and the SA College of Music. The project is mentored and directed by pianist George Werner and released its debut CD "Ungalibali" in 2006.

Robbie Jansen, Alvin Dyers, Duke Ncqukana and Spencer Mbadu are elder statesmen of South Africa jazz. Each has made his mark on local music, particularly Cape Jazz with its distinctive ghoema and worldly rhythms. Wayne Bosch is a fresh sounding jazz guitarist who has garnered attention on the local circuit for the last decade or more.

IMAD presently nurtures children in music at York Road and Eluxolweni Primary, two Cape Flats schools. IMAD bands from these schools will also perform.

For more information call 083 390 4529
imad@jazz.co.za

27 Sept 2008

Pan African Space Station - The Artists

Pan African Space Station


With: Bebson De La Rue (voice); Dicoco Boketshu (bass, video); Djanga (drums, percussion); guests DJs and musicians

WHERE/ WHEN: the Assembly in District 6 (Wed Oct 1, from 9pm); Guga S'thebe in Langa (Fri Oct 3, from 6pm)

Bebson de la Rue is a singer/rapper and the leader of Tryonix, an Afrofuturist project based in Kinshasa (DRC). Bebson and his brother Dicoco Boketshu, a bass player and video artist, formed Tryonix during the mid-1990s, as a collaborative project that blends Congolese rumba with rap and Jamaican raggamuffin with jazz sensibilities and electronica. Lyrically, Bebson taps into his vast knowledge of proverbs, Mongo chants and Kinshasa's street slang. A sound they call Original Raggamuffin Folklore (ORF).

CARLO MOMBELLI & THE PRISONERS OF STRANGE

With: Siya Makuzeni (voice & trombone); Marcus Wyatt (trumpet); Carlo Mombelli (bass & manipulated strings); Lloyd Martin (drums)

WHERE/ WHEN: Slave Church on Long Street (Thurs Oct 2, from 6pm); Mowbray Town Hall (Sat Oct 4, from 6pm)

The Prisoners of Strange is a collective 'spontaneous freestyle chamber jazz' ensemble from Johannesburg, under the leadership of Carlo Mombelli. The current line-up has been together since 2001, and has evolved into an exciting live performance group with a cult following in South Africa. Aside from appearing at nearly every major South African arts festival, they also recently performed before Abdullah Ibrahim at the Leipzig Jazztage in Germany. Their latest CD, 2007's I stared into my head features the Prisoners of Strange with the J.M.I. string section and artwork by Norman Catherine. It was nominated for a 2008 SAMA award.

CINDY BLACKMAN QUARTET

With: J.D. Allen (tenor saxophone); Carlton Holmes (piano/fender rhodes); George Mitchell (bass); Cindy Blackman (drums)

WHERE/ WHEN: Slave Church on Long Street (Wed Oct 1, from 6pm); Slave Church (Fri Oct 3, from 6pm)

Cindy Blackman is widely regarded as one of the top drummers in the world. She's upheld the backbeat and created texture for a veritable Who's Who in jazz: Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, Don Pullen, Hugh Masekela, Pharaoh Sanders, Sam Rivers, Cassandra Wilson, Angela Bofill, Bill Laswell, Buckethead. However, she's better known as keeper of polyriddims for funk rocker Lenny Kravitz since 1993. Indeed, she is one of a few drummers who can easily move from straight-ahead jazz to rock to funk and back again. Of her album Woks on Canvas, jazz critic Mike Zwerin said: "Some drummers act, some react. Some keep time, others create it. Cindy Blackman is among the few who can..." Cindy Blackman has also released an acclaimed drumming instructional video entitled Multiplicity.


MADALA "BAFO" KUNENE: SOUNDS IN THE DARKNESS OF LIGHT

With: Madala Kunene (guitars, voice)

WHERE/ WHEN: Slave Church on Long Street (Thurs Oct 2, from 6pm); Slave Church (Fri Oct 3, from 6pm)

Known to many simply as Bafo, Madala Kunene is undeniably one of the best guitarists to have come out of Durban. This eclectic musician has an aura of calmness and wisdom that is meticulously replicated in his music - deep-rooted in spiritual and traditional rhythms.

For his appearances at PASS in Cape Town, Bafo launches a concept titled "Sounds in the Darkness of Light", a solo performance in complete darkness. This places the audience in a realm of darkness where only sounds illustrate the images of one's immediate surroundings. A realm well understood by the visually impaired, who dwell in it daily. Members of blind societies from surrounding communities will be invited to the event and will escort the artist himself onto the stage.

FUNSHO OGUNDIPE & AYETORO

With: Funsho Ogundipe(piano, wurlitzer, fender Rhodes); Ayo Odia, Shabaka Hutchings, Ayo Solanke (saxophones); Byron Wallen (trumpet); Curtis Shaw, Mike Collins (guitars); Falna Amodu King, Karl Adedare Rasheed-Abel (bass); Pharoah Russell, Frank Tontoh (drums); Dayo Rasaq-Ayandele, Samson Olawale, Angela Paz Alhucima, Hafiz (percussions); Kwesi Frimpong (spoken word)

WHERE/ WHEN: Guga S'thebe in Langa (Wed Oct 1, from 6pm); Guga S'thebe (Fri Oct 3, from 6pm)

Ayetoro ("world of peace" in Yoruba) is the 9-piece band/vehicle for live performances of the music of Nigerian composer and pianist Funsho Ogundipe. Although heavily influenced by Afrofuturist big band projects such as Sun Ra's Arkestra, Miles Davis's electric groups and Fela Kuti's various outfits, Ayetoro is no mere funk-jazz-Afrobeat revival band. The collective's members, all established musicians in Lagos, Accra and London, get together for performance and recording projects. In accordance with the Felasophy of only performing works-in-progress, Ayetoro never perform pre-recorded music: they work on new songs, perform them and once recorded never perform them again.

BIBI TANGA & PROFESSEUR INLASSABLE

With: Bibi Tanga (voice, bass); Le Professeur Inlassable (turntables, programming); Rico Kerridge (guitars); Arnaud Biscay (drums, percussions); Arthur Simonini (violin, keys)

WHERE/ WHEN: the Assembly in District 6 (Wed Oct 1, from 9pm); the Assembly (Fri Oct 3, from 9pm)

Bangui-born, Paris based Bibi Tanga is a singer and bass player whose music combines Curtis Mayfield's truth-speaking falsetto, James Brown's funk epics and Sly Stone's lysergic experimentation with Africa's big band traditions, including Miriam Makeba's Bembeya Jazz National, Franco's TPOK Jazz and Fela Kuti's Africa 70. His current project is a collaboration with Professeur Inlassable, an accomplished DJ/producer and studio sorcerer, and a walking library of gothic samples. Their album, Yellow Gauze is a unique hybrid kaleidoscope of black music traditions. Weird and good.

ANTHONY JOSEPH & SPASM BAND

With: Anthony Joseph (voice); Andrew John (bass); Colin Webster (sax, flute); Adrian Owusu (guitars); Paul Brett, Paul Zimmerman and Craig Tamlin (percussions)

WHERE/ WHEN: the Assembly in District 6 (Thurs Oct 2, from 9pm); Mowbray Town Hall (Sat Oct 4, from 6pm)

Anthony Joseph is one of the leading writers of his generation. Born in Trinidad, his experimental poetry, fiction, music and spoken word performances fuse Calypso rhythms with a postmodern eye, creating what he calls 'liquid textology'. Joseph is the author of two poetry collections, Desafinado and Teragaton, a novel African Origins of UFOs, in addition to releases featuring his Jazz septet The Spasm Band. The band's debut album Leggo de Lion has echoes of dub poets, Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Sun Ra cosmic visions, but the Spasm Band definitely has a sound of its own. Joseph's new collection of poetry Bird Head Son is due in 2008 followed by a new Spasm Band album with the same title.

BLK JKS

With: Linda Buthelezi (voice, guitars); Mpumi Mcata (guitars); Molefi Makananise (bass); Tshepang Ramoba (voice, drums)

WHERE/ WHEN: Guga S'thebe in Langa (Thurs Oct 2, from 6pm); the Assembly in District 6 (Fri Oct 3, from 9pm)

BLK JKS are an internationally acclaimed, Johannesburg based band. Says music journalist Miles Keylock: "What makes them hip is that they're South African and damn it, they sound it. In fact listening to BLK JKS is kind of like taking a slow cruise through Jozi with your windows rolled down. Afro-jazz riffs segue into tribal rhythms, which swagger through street-level sociology before exploding into hardcore bursts of noise, kwaai kwaito beats and addictive rock hooks. It's not funk rock. It's not punk rock. It's not indie rock. It's just music, and it'll infect your mind if you let it." BLK JKS have released two EPs. The latest, Mystery, was recorded at the famed Electric Lady studios in New York.

R.U.I. PRESENTS DUB VAULTS

With: Rui Sorero (turntables); Paulo Chibanga (turntables)

WHERE/ WHEN: the Assembly in District 6 (Wed Oct 1, from 8pm); the Assembly (Fri Oct 3, from 8pm)

As the riddim providers behind acclaimed bands such as 340ml, Tumi & Volume and Levi pon the Mic, the Mozambique born, Johannesburg based Rui Sorero (bass) and Paulo Chibanga (drums) are the contemporary South African equivalent to the famed riddim factory Sly & Robbie. And like their Jamaican heroes, Rui and Paolo are also dub producers. As a selector, Rui has also produced the acclaimed Dub Vaults I &II compilations, focused on contemporary South African dub. During their DJ sets at PASS, Rui and Paulo will select a mashup of local and international reggae, dub, dancehall and dubstep.

GOEMATRONICS

With: Mac Mckenzie (guitar); Brendon Bussy (electronics)

WHERE/ WHEN: Slave Church on Long Street (Wed Oct 1, from 6pm); Mowbray Town Hall (Sat Oct 4, from 7pm)

Goematronics is a collaboration between goema guitar supremo Mac Mckenzie and electronic instrument inventor Brendon Bussy. Jazz composer, goema legend McKenzie, once of punk band the Genuines, is currently the lynchpin of the Goema Captains, a Cape Town all star orchestra that includes saxophonist Robbie Jansen. Bussy is a musician, researcher and electro-acoustic sound artist working on the border of the classical/popular continuum. His predominantly research based work - including his 2003 album Diesel Geiger - combine traditional acoustic instrumentation with new media inventions. For PASS the duo performs a messy mix of malay-choir melodies on six slinky electric strings salted in live rhythm manipulations of a goema beat eaten with computer-chips.

Tickets are very reasonably priced. Once people find out, the tickets are gonna fly..
VISIT COMPUTICKET FOR BOOKINGS

LISTEN ONLINE @ http://www.blogger.com/www.panafricanspacestation.org.za

26 Sept 2008

MARIMBA EXTRAVAGANZA

Celebrating the history of Marimbas in Cape Town and the legendary musicians who have for the past 28 years dedicated their time and passion, performing, teaching, composing and nurturing young players, Artscape acknowledges these icons and their music with the production of Marimba Extravaganza in the Artscape Theatre from 1 to 3 October 2008 at 20:15 and on 4 October at 17:00.

This unique production brings together in collaboration and on stage at the same time representatives from six distinguished Marimba bands - Amampondo, Ntsikane, Phambili, Heshoo-Beshoo, Amajingqi and Women Unite. All groups have travelled the world, won many awards and have acted as Ambassadors for South Africa wherever they have performed.

Bongani Sotshononda (Phambili) directs the production. He is an internationally acclaimed Chromatic Marimba / Marimba / Percussionist and composer and will also be seen on stage.

Marimba Extravaganza traces the history of the Marimba instrument in Cape Town during the late 70’s from the time Fr. Dave Dargie (later Prof Dargie, head of Music at Fort Hare University) set about introducing the instruments and creating new liturgical music for Marimba in Catholic churches and youth clubs, at first among Xhosa speakers in the Cape Province and later country wide.

Mzwandile Qotoyi (Amampondo) recalls when Andrew Tracey (Prof Emeritus, Rhodes University and the son of Hugh Tracey (1903-1977), a pioneer in African music research and African Musical Instruments Ltd, together with Fr Dargie, were introduced to church music at St. Anthony’s in Langa and invited to assist in adapting church hymns that were to be accompanied by Marimbas. Mziwandile mentions: ‘After choir rehearsals we would stay behind and introduce more traditional music. Amongst those who were at the church were 15 year old Simpiwe Matole, Dizu Plaatjies, Mandla Lande, Zandisile Mbizela and Michael Ludonga. Our Lives began to revolve around Marimbas and our music and that’s when Amampondo was born’.

Marimba Extravaganza is also an eclectic mix of indigenous to mainstream South African contemporary music and jazz accompanied by brass instruments, keyboard, Imbira, traditional instruments and dancers. It is narrated by Zwelilungile “Zorro” Sidloyi who will tell the story of the Marimbas from the time they were introduced to the Catholic churches through to their current contemporary commercial development.

Amongst the notable artists performing are; Luzuko Nqikashe (Phambili), Jongisizwe Monatsi (Phambili), Sindile Moya (Amajingqi), Mzwandile Qotoyi (Amampondo), Nkosikhona Nyawula (Ntsikane), Simphiwe Mathole (Amampondo), Mzumbanzi Charles Tema (Heshoo Beshoo), Vuyo Katsha (Ntsika ye-Afrika), Ronald Mvimbi (Phambili), Thandi Swartbooi (Women Unite) with her musicians and dancers, Nomonde Swartbooi (Women Unite) and Fancy Galada (Heshoo Beshoo).

Artscape’s mission is to provide a platform for indigenous art forms previously excluded from performing on a professional stage; encourage creativity in script writing, musical composition and choreography; showcase and present diverse performing arts programmes that make all art forms accessible to the general public.

Marimba Extravaganza is a project of the Artscape Indigenous Arts Department.

Tickets cost R40, block bookings R30 and are available through Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Shoprite/Checkers outlets and on line http://www.computicket.com/

25 Sept 2008

Pan African Space Station - PASS

Hey Cape Town, Wake Up! It is happening right on our doorstep.

The Pan African Space Station (PASS) is a 4-day music intervention from October 1-4, 2008 across Cape Town. The festival, curated by Ntone Edjabe and Neo Muyanga, is presented by the Africa Centre with the support of Spier.

One of the headline acts of the festival will be a unique radio station that will broadcast 30 days of cutting edge music from global Africa to the greater Cape Town. This will be a true meeting place for the diverse music audiences in the city. Volunteer DJs, hosts and producers will be welcome to participate from all of Cape Town's music communities. PASS radio will broadcast from studios in the city centre and live from the city's public spaces: malls, gardens, community centres, and clubs before and throughout the music festival. PASS radio will be non-profit and will not broadcast commercial adverts. PASS radio will launch online in August and intends to migrate to FM radio during September-October. Thereafter, broadcasting will continue online.

The primary aim of the Pan African Space Station is to articulate, musically, the Africa Centre's programmatic theme of entangled nations in an African context. The event is an opportunity for Capetonians and visitors to engage up-close with the rich and complex web of creative expression which binds Africans across the globe.

PASS will not only bring music lovers together, the festival will also seek to acknowledge and profile new and existing independent music venues across the city. The music happenings will be arranged to occur at staggered time and space intervals to help affirm and disrupt, both, music geography of the city. However, these disparate venues across Cape Town will be brought closer together through a temporary transport network of buses, which will serve the festival's routes, facilitating greater mobility in our notoriously rigid cultural environment. Through this approach, venues such as Langa's Guga S'thebe and Assembly in District Six may be linked conceptually. Other selected venues include Mowbray's Town Hall and the Slave Church on Long Street.

The above was the promotion and petition material to get a broadcast licence for The Pan African Space Station (PASS).

Guess what, PASS got the licence and is now broadcasting from September 12 - October 12 on radio and the internet. In the greater Cape Town area they are broadcasting on 91.3FM. Tune your radios.

Listen on the internet - http://www.panafricanspacestation.org.za/listen.php

Like Lonnie Liston Smith said: "Expand Your Mind..." from Expansions

Check out the website on http://www.panafricanspacestation.org.za/

With acts like Carlo Mombelli, Cindy Blackman, Ayetoro, Madala Kunene and many more, the music and spoken word is sure not to be missed.

Come on, get tuned into PASS - "There are other worlds out there they never told you about"

11 Sept 2008

full circle MAGAZINE


Sometimes things are right on your doorstep and you try to look for it somewhere else. When you do find out about it you ask yourself the question:"Why did I never see it before or know about it before?"

I was searching for more info on Claude Cozens who (with Darren English) is currently doing his second year music studies in Norway. Bang! There it was - "Bursary For Claude".

Exploring a bit more, I found one of the best montly community lifestyle magazines, covering the False Bay area and surrounds, and sometimes far beyond these borders. Please check out The Full Circle Magazine

It is delivered free to some areas. I just wish they make the magazine available as one complete download. Currently downloads are available per article.

If you love the Cape Peninsula, the mag have some amazing wallpapers and pictures.

Backissues can also be accessed here.

Sean and company - Good work!

10 Sept 2008

Go Well Bheki Mseleku

It is with much sadness that we heard about the passing of a great artist, Bheki Mseleku on 8 September 2008.

South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan on the death of African piano maestro, Bheki Mseleku

05 Sept 2008

'Intimately Airborne Live' - Double DVD Available NOW!!!!!

Good news from Airborne:

After 9 months of hard work, we are proud and excited to announce that we have received DVD stock of the concert recorded live on 5th December 2007!

It has been a great learning experience and based on feedback from audiences who have previewed the DVD, we appear to have a gem on our hands.
We obviously would have liked to have released the DVD earlier, however our commitment to striving for world class quality, meant that the process of sound and video editing, artwork, packaging etc. took much longer than originally anticipated.

To our knowledge, this DVD is the 1st concert recorded live in Cape Town and proudly and exclusively produced by Capetonians for consumption in the world markets.
We aim to market Cape Town music and subsequent products on the world stage in order to reenergise and invigorate our local music industry. This will ideally create and export our own world class celebrities and their products and leave a tangible kick-start and legacy for current and future musicians.

Airborne consists of:
Sean O'Connell - Piano and Vocals
Benedict de Maar - Lead Guitar
Jonathan Coetzee - Bass
Ronnie Van Niekerk - Drums

Guest musicians are:
Tony Schilder - Piano
Basil Moses - Double Bass
Kim Fortune - Vocals
Heinrich Frans - Vocals
Daniel Bloem - Percussion
David Rubain - Saxophone

The album will be featured for the first time on air this Sunday 7 September from 19h00 – 19h30 on the Selwyn Bartlett Sunday Lounge Show on Cape Town’s Soul Radio Station, Heart 104.9

Take note that the radio station streams on the internet, so there is no excuse if you are outside of their broadcast area.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THIS DVD?

For your convenience the DVD is available at the following music stores-

Rhythm & Rhyme
Ground Floor
Kenilworth Centre
Contact No: 0216712609
Landmark: Close to FNB & Shoprite
Trading Hours: Mall Hours

CD Select
Shop No 514
Tyger Valley
Contact No: 0219141860
Landmark: Close to Stuttafords
Trading Hours: Mall Hours

Or contact Airborne Music at 021 425 3430


"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk
"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk

Hamba Kahle Winston Mankunku Ngozi - Tributes

PASS photostream