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06 Dec 2010

‘PRESENT in the ORIGIN’ ‘Redefining the African roots of Jazz’

Shannon Mowday presents
MOTE and friends
A lecture/demonstration and performance
10 December 2010
Artscape Theatre, Artscape Theatre Complex, Cape Town

Saxophonist and composer Shannon Mowday has been on the South African musical scene for many years having specialised in performing across all genres of music and styles ranging from Jazz, African, classical, rock, Afrikaans and symphonic music. She has performed with artists nationally and internationally such as Sibongile Khumalo, Ingrid Jenssen, James Morrison, Bugge Wesseltoft, Danilo Perez, has been a soloist with all the South African National Orchestras and was the winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for 2007. In an effort to expand her musical experiences, she has relocated to Norway and is pursuing an active career in the European music scene. She is presenting workshops and concerts with her newest Norwegian project, MOTE, as part of a South African / Swaziland tour. Musicians include Øyvind Brække (trombone), Erik Nylander (drums) and Anders Tveit (bass/electronics). In this project they will be collaborating with South African musicians, Shane Cooper (contrabass) and Dizu Plaatjies (traditional instruments, voice).

Free Lecture / demonstration at the Artscape Theatre from 3pm to 5pm:
Magnifying or enhancing small musical cells from selected source material, information is manipulated either electronically or naturally through each different musician’s sensors or filters according to their individual perspectives. It is then reprocessed and together with compositional tools, improvisation and interconnected synergy, new musical structures as a collective are formed. This combines the worlds of jazz, modern, electronica, African, folk, world, free improvisation, classical and in essence embodies the fusion of all these musicians experiences and those they encounter moving towards a non-labelled genre.
• There will be an opportunity to perform with MOTE in a collaborative jam session
• Workshop is aimed at participants who have an interest in contemporary improvised music
• The Artscape canteen will be open for early supper or bring your own

Followed by a performance at 7pm – Tickets: R100
Essentially the roots of jazz are said to be found in Africa and this is an exploration from the present state of Jazz, back to the roots with a modern perspective.


Mote will present a straight ahead, contemporary jazz set in line with modern jazz and improvising concepts. Followed by a collaboration with Dizu Plaatjies, using traditional African musical concepts as the source and together with each musician’s individual perspective, experiences, improvisational and compositional tools to find a ‘meeting place’ (‘Møte’ – Norwegian) of nonlabelled genre, in essence re-interpreting the supposed origin of jazz with a ‘present’ perspective.

Tickets are available from:
The Artscape Box Office as of December 1st 2010.
Office hours are 9am to 5pm.
At the door on the 10th of December, from 6pm
For more information call Dwyn on 082 331 4062

23 Nov 2010

Celebration of African Culture and Heritage - 28 November 2010

Afro Pan Project is a collaboration of musicians and artist - our main aim is to create platform, opportunities for up, and coming performers in any art form. Hence, we will be hosting an annual music, arts & culture show at New Africa Theatre in Athlone, on the 28th November 2010. This year’s theme: Celebration of African Culture and Heritage through Music and Art.

Last year we had a good show and well attended, regardless of the fact it was our first initiative, therefore we are optimistic about this year’s spectacular event.


Should you require more information, please kindly contact our event coordinator Thabo Motau on 073 522 4894, email: thaboshanti@yahoo.com

20 Nov 2010

ESTHER MILLER - A Jazz Odyssey

Jazz Vocalist Esther Miller makes a welcome return to her home town for the second year running with a concert at the NMMU South Campus Auditorium, Port Elizabeth, on the 5th of January 2011.On this occasion she will be accompanied by Cape Town Guitarist, Wayne Bosch and Threes Company Trio.


...Esther was born and raised in Port Elizabeth and matriculated from Gelvandale High school where she sang in the school choir, enjoyed sprinting in the athletics team and was elected head girl in her final year.

Since 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of her matriculation from that institution, Esther has decided to make a donation to the school’s cultural projects, most notably the school band and girl’s soccer team.

Esther sought early musical inspiration through her parents’ record collection and as soloist in the Springdale Congregational church choir. She studied medicine in Cape Town, but soon gave in to the lure of jazz.
She then honed her technique with classical singing lessons with the late Suzi van Dijk and delved into jazz history to take her inspiration from Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Blossom Dearie as well as the jazz/pop of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

In South Africa she has worked with some excellent players, including the late guitarist Johnny Fourie, saxophonists Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Robbie Jansen, Ezra Ngcukana, bassist Basil Moses, drummer Kesivan Naidoo and the late Errol Cuddumbey.

Her most recent PE performances were two hugely successful shows at Uptown Theatres in January 2010. She was also one of the featured artists at the 2007 Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Esther has been resident in the UK for a number of years and has a growing reputation on its jazz scene.

Her recently recorded fourth album, A Place in the Sunlight, was released in July 2009 and has been featured on many radio stations in South Africa.

"A Jazz Odyssey" will feature the music which has been part of Esther’s 20 year journey as a jazz singer. She will be supported by Cape Town Guitarist, Wayne Bosch, who will be flying in especially for the concert and Threes Company Trio, comprising of John Edwards – Piano, Tim Robinson – Bass and Devon van Rooyen - Drums


"… a spell-binder. Voice, style and presence – she’s got it all."
Humphrey Lyttelton BBC Radio 2

"…and so she impresses with individuality as well as grace".
Mike Butler, Manchester Evening News, Dec '09

Tickets are available at Computicket at a cost of R100; 105; R110
Tel: 083 915 8000
Web: http://www.computicket.com/

www.myspace.com/esthermillersings

Special Thanks to Michael Barry and staff at NMMU; Winston Petersen and NMMMA; Angela Miller; Event Hire

15 Nov 2010

WAVESCAPE SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2010 CAPE TOWN

The seventh annual Wavescape Surf Film Festival kickstarts the 2010 summer season in Cape Town with a bumper crop of adrenaline-charged surf movies.

Presented by the Save Our Seas Foundation, the festival (from December 1 to 19) focuses on the critical plight of the world’s oceans, and surfing development in South Africa.

The festival begins with the Wavescape Surfboard Art Exhibition from December 1 to 7 at the trendy Cape Town restaurant Depasco Cafe. Twelve surfboards decorated by artists will go on auction on December 8. Proceeds go to ocean charities, including the SOSF, NSRI and Shark Spotters, with a special board decorated by township children to be auctioned on behalf of the Ticket to Ride Foundation’s surfing development programme.

Also to be auctioned will be a mini-surfboard reshaped from a broken board, part of the My First Surfboard Project. Every year, thousands of broken surfboards end up in dumps and landfills, and are environmentally toxic. The project turns broken boards into new boards for beginner surfers who can’t afford them, transforming junk into transforming a kid’s life.
The film section of the festival begins with the open-air free screening of Scratching the Surface on Clifton Fourth Beach on Friday December 10 after the sun goes down. The film includes cutting edge camera technology in use by pioneering surf filmmakers.

Thousands of like-minded people gather on the beach with picnics from early in the evening to enjoy a long, languid summer evening. Indoor films will be screened at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay from December 12 to 15 and at the Labia Theatre on Orange from December 16 to 19.

Prize giveaways from official surfing sponsor Quiksilver and Roxy will be randomly handed out to members of the audience throughout the festival, with three Sector 9 skateboards and surfboard giveaways added to the loot at Clifton Fourth.
According to curator of the festival Spike from Wavescape.co.za, the festival offers the most diverse line-up of films since the first Wavescape festival in 2004.
"There is something for everyone, from the usual soulful visuals and underground soundtracks to the hot moves of the now generation. Among others, Modern Collective and Scratching the Surface showcase the most awe-inspiring waves of the world and the outrageous aerial and other skills of the new guard, including Julian Wilson, Dusty Payne, Dane Reynolds and South African Jordy Smith.
"However, we also represent the darker side of surfing. Sea of Darkness exposes the sometimes grisly, drug-scarred underbelly of the surf travel dream, while the award-winning Lives of the Artists documents a freakish French snowboarder, crazy Irish surfers and an angry British punk band in their quest for the salt-encrusted, powder-snowed, guitar-ghettoed grail of their inner artist."
"Fibreglass and Megapixels brings to life the vivid digital world of surfing photography, featuring top South African photographer Pierre Tostee. We also have a special screening of End of the Line, a scary film about the extinction of fish that has caused a global stir, and two films about how surfing can transform the lives of the disadvantaged: Surfing Favelas (Brazil) and Somewhere in Tapachula (Mexico).”

Films are R30 per person at the Labia and Brass Bell. For details call the infoline 079 0260 669 or http://www.wavescape.co.za/

30 Sept 2010

Frank Paco & The CT Young Lions feat Rodrigo Galvao

Frank Paco will be hosting a World Jazz performance this Saturday 2nd of October, featuring a vibrant Brazilian Percussionist and the CT Young Lions who are emerging so fast into the limelight of Cape town's Jazz scene with their skillful performance.

Frank Paco(drums) - Performance with the band Queen backing artists such as Bono, Jimmy Cliff, , Angelique Kidjo, Dave Stewart, Andrews Bonsu, Johnny Clegg, Brian May, Peter Gabriel at 46664 concert.
Other concerts with: Jonathan Butler, Ronny Jordan, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Dludlu, VJR, Tucan Tucan, Loading Zone to name a few…

Rodrigo Galvao is co - founder member of Brazil and Australia's most sought after band "Samba Mundi".
He has vast drumming and percussion playing experience.

Darren English a Young Dynamic Trumpet Player who has studied in the Norwegian Music Academy and now at UCT, he is rising so fast as one of the best performers and making a name for himself in the Cape's Jazz Scene.
He has also performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Hailing from Mozambique Helder Gonzaga  on Bass, has just returned from a Scandinavian Tour. He is a genius pulling the bass strings.

Nick Williams on Piano is one of the most Sought after Session Musician in the city, he also leads his own Jazz Trio.

Nathan Carolus on Guitar, has just performed extensively in the Middle East as well as in the local Jazz Scene.

The Rainbow Room at Mandela Rhode's Place, Cnr Church and Burg Streets.
Entrance to the building's parkade is in Burg Street

The show will commence at 8.30PM,Saturday 2 October 2010
Adm is R60.
Student Adm fee R40

For bookings at the Rainbow room please contact Sarah on 021 422 1428

26 Sept 2010

Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Southern African Tour 2010

Pro Helvetia Cape Town, the Swiss Arts Council, presents a Southern African tour by Imperial Tiger Orchestra a Geneva-based music group that performs songs from the Golden Age of Ethiopian modern music (1969 - 1978)
featuring
Endres Hassan from Ethiopia playing the Masenqo

Inspired by the Golden Age of Ethiopian modern music (1969-1978) Imperial Tiger Orchestra is soon to hit the live music spots of Southern Africa. Their tour includes Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban as well as Harare and Maputo and is presented by Pro Helvetia Cape Town, the Swiss Arts Council.

While preserving the natural beauty of the Ethiopian melodies and sound, this six-piece Geneva-based orchestra is not to be mistaken for a covers band. Improvising and experimenting, the musicians explore uncharted territories with their powerful instrumentation of horn, percussion and keyboards, adding distortion and noise to the revamped and reworked original vocal songs with the sax or keyboard replacing the singer.


Embracing dark hypnotic rhythms, obsessive basslines and grooves from electronic music, the orchestra surprise and impress with their use of the traditional Thai "phin" guitar together with the traditional Ethiopian "kebero" percussion. Band members include leader Raphaël Anker (trumpet), John Menoud (baritone saxophone), Alexandre Rodrigues (keys), Cyril Moulas (bass guitar and phin), Julien Israelian (drums) and Luc Détraz (percussion).


A special feature of their Southern African tour is the inclusion of Ethiopian musician Endres Hassen, who plays the masenqo, a traditional single-stringed violin.

Their first performances are at the Pan African Space Station (PASS), on Wednesday 29 September at 19h00 at the Slave Church, 40 Long Street, Cape Town and on Friday 1 October they perform at the Albert Hall, 208 Albert Road, Wood Stock, Cape Town at 22h30. Tickets for both venues are R30 if booked through Computicket or R50 at the door.

On Saturday 2 October, the Tigers perform at The Mannenberg, Harare at 21h00. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Thursday 7 October they are in Maputo at encontrARTE, CCFM at 20h30. Tickets cost 200MZN at the door.

Friday 8 October, at the Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, Johannesburg. Performance time is 21h00 and tickets cost R60 at the door.

Their final concert is on Saturday 9 October at 19h30 at the Poetry Africa Finale, BAT Centre, Durban. Tickets are R50 at the door.


Founded by Raphaël Anker, Imperial Tiger Orchestra began with an invitation from Cave12, the legendary experimental live music event in Geneva. Given carte blanche to play what he liked, Anker took the opportunity as an admirer of Ethio-Jazz to experiment with a particular music scale, common in Ethiopian music and what they played at the start of their union was more in the style of free jazz and ‘noise’.

In 2009, the group’s commitment to Ethiopian music was sealed when they, via an invitation from Francis Falceto (the curator of the anthology series “Ethiopiques”), performed at the Musiques Ethiopiennes festival in Addis Ababa. By all accounts, the group was the sensation of the festival, impressing Falceto, established Ethiopian musicians as well as local audiences.

Raphaël Anker says, ‘We are very excited about playing with Endres. The masenqo is really important in traditional Ethiopian music and it presents a challenge for us to incorporate this into our sound. Endres is considered today as one of the best players in Ethiopia’.

For more information about Imperial Tiger Orchestra and their tour contact Eitan Prince at Pro Helvetia Cape Town 021 465 9033 / 083 254 8789 http://www.prohelvetia.org.za/
www.myspace.com/imperialtigerorchestra

25 Sept 2010

World Record at Earthwave Beach Festival 2010

EARTHWAVE BEACH FESTIVAL
Guinness World Record attempt + Longboard and SUP contests
Surfing and sustainable lifestyle event
Saturday & Sunday, 25 & 26 September 2010
Muizenberg, Cape Town


There will be action aplenty at the Earthwave Beach Festival at Muizenberg this weekend as Cape Town’s surfers try to break the Guinness World Record of 110 riding on the same wave alongside talks and displays on environmental issues, a photographic exhibition, contests for Longboard surfers and Stand Up Paddleboarders (SUP) and fund raising for worthy causes, before reaching a climax at a huge after-party on Sunday evening.

The fourth annual Earthwave event also features plenty of activities for youngsters, including a Dig for Gold with thousands of Rands in prizes, development surfing, a survey on starting a local surfers environmental organisation, calculating your carbon footprint, a tourism quiz with prizes, free books and CD’s on sustainable lifestyles, free beverages from Loaded Smoothies and Monster Energy and loads of give-aways, sticker showers and competitions.

The highlight will be the Guinness World Record attempt on Sunday, when even more than the 443 surfers of all ages who set the record last year are expected to take to the surf in sunny weather and ideal one metre rolling waves. Registration of participants starts at 10am and all participants line-up on the beach in a spectacular display of the diversity of the surfing lifestyle at 12.30.

Entering the surf at 12.55, half a dozen or more attempts will be made between 1pm and 2pm to get more than 110 surfers riding the same wave for 5 seconds or more. This all takes place under the watchful eye of the Shark Spotters (who will have additional staff on duty), a pair of Billabong / Monster Energy Jetskis in the surf and the reassuring presence of a flotilla of NSRI craft behind the break while highly trained paramedics from Medics in Motion and also the local Lifeguards are on-hand for any eventualities on the beach.

The Ticket to Ride Foundation will be bringing 15 rookie surfers from Masiphumelele to participate in the record attempt. Using surfboards and wetsuits kindly provided by Surfing South Africa as part of surfing’s national controlling body’s transformation program, which is supported by Sport & Recreation SA and the Lotto, the youngsters will also enjoy a hearty meal donated by Compass Bakery.

The festival gets underway at 8am on Saturday with a nationally rated Longboard surfing event run by the WP Longboard Club that has attracted top exponents from all over the country where the winners will be crowned on Sunday morning. The Coreban SUP races run between 10am and 12noon on both days and will utilise an ‘M’ shaped course through the surf that ensures spectators will be close to the action in this burgeoning watersport discipline.

All-day activities on both days include the works of renowned photographer Nic Bothma who will be displaying images from previous Earthwave events and also big-wave action around the Peninsula. There is also the opportunity to get some exercise and raise some funds for Spin 4 Charity, who will be conducting trials for the their own 24 hour Guinness World Record attempt at next year’s Earthwave festival.

Well known environmental organisations such as 350.org and the 90 x 2030 Project will be presenting talks on climate change and sustainable lifestyle options and 3rd Rock Energy will display solar and wind turbine energy generators. The Climate Action Partnership will calculate your carbon footprint, with prizes for those with the lowest impact on the environment, and there will also be a display and information on marine creatures by Save Our Seas and the Shark Spotters.

The event is supported by the City of Cape Town with the Environmental Resource Management Dept have providing copies of their excellent Smart Living Handbook in print and digital versions for those seeking the best way to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, along with copies of their guide to Western Cape Beaches. And Cape Town Tourism will be hosting a quiz with prizes just after 12noon on Saturday.

Spectators and participants alike can show their support for the meritorious efforts of the Sunflower Fund on behalf of leukemia sufferers by purchasing a Bandana at Earthwave and wearing it during the world record attempt.

Earthwave is supported by Loaded Smoothies, who will be dispensing their range of delicious and nutritious health drinks to participants and spectators, and will distribute tens of thousands of Rands of branded products in competitions, a raffle and competitions.

Products up for grabs include top-of-the-range footwear from Kustom, chairs using environmentally friendly materials designed by TV personality Aidan Bennetts, top-class Derevko Wetsuits, Hemporium bags and apparel made from environmentally friendly hemp, clothing and accessories from O’Neill, Caves Surfwear and Billabong, sunglasses from VonZipper, shoes from New Balance and surf wax from Palmers.

There are also magazines from Zigzag, vouchers from top restaurants such as the Empire Café, Rafikis and Octopus’s Garden, a year’s subscription of surf forecast SMS’s from Wavescape and Bulk SMS and much, much more.

The 2010 Earthwave Beach Festival culminates in the Corona Earthwave After-Party at the recently renovated Brass Bell in Kalk Bay starting at 5.30pm on Sunday. Starring surf band Little Kings, the after party will also feature the Corona promo-girls, surf movies from the Wavescape Film Festival, more prizes and give-aways and the announcement of the official number of surfers on one wave earlier in the day.

For further information see the Program of Events at http://www.kahunasurf.co.za/kp/earthwave-2010/ and the Facebook group Earthwave Beach Festival 2010 where video footage on how seriously participants train for the event, produced by the Fabulous Boomtown Boys, can be viewed.


The Earthwave Beach Festival is produced by Kahuna Promotions and proudly supported by Wavescape, the official online and surf forecasting partner for Earthwave.

Contact kahunasurf@mweb.co.za for details on how to become part of this sustainable lifestyles initiative

15 Sept 2010

PAN AFRICAN SPACE STATION 2010


"The Pan African Space Station (PASS) is a 30-day music intervention on the internet and in venues across greater Cape Town from September 12 – October 12.

It is an initiative of the Cape Town based curatorial team of Ntone Edjabe and Neo Muyanga (the Heliocentrics), in partnership with the Africa Centre. Now in its third year, PASS continues its cross-cultural and cyber-spatial exploration, bringing together diverse pan-African sounds from ancient techno to future roots."


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

Watch out for the live in studio events or just pop in at 44 Long Street, Cape Town.


Also, do not forget about the Live Events they are staging across Cape Town from Tuesday, 28 September 2010 until Saturday, 2 October 2010. PASS "...plays host to genre-busting music outfits from global Africa dedicated to exploring new musical territory."


Be sure to book your tickets early at Computicket. tel:083 915 8000, 083 131, 011 340 8000

Pan African Space Station

On FaceBook: Pan African Space Station - the sound of 21st century Afriglobalism

Flickr: PASS_2010's photostream

...And if you do not believe this, go check out Bianca, the otha ship in St George's Mall, Cape Town...

04 Sept 2010

TRIBUTE TO EZRA NGCUKANA

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WAS POSTPONED.
TRIBUTE TO EZRA NGCUKANA

Venue: Swingers Jazz Cafe, Wetton
Date: Sunday 03 October 2010
Time: 18H00 till late

Musicians free....

ALL WELCOME FOR JAM SESSION

Donation: R50

RSVP: Tribute 078 6652 167

blackstarartspro@yahoo.com

THIS EVENT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY TOP CAPE TOWN BANDS AND MUSICIANS, LEGENDS AND UPCOMMING ARTISTS, PRODUCERS, PROMOTERS, FILM MAKERS, MANAGERS. MUSICIANS WILL BE INDOCTRINATING THE LEGACY OF GOOD SOUNDS EZRA LEFT WITH US.

01 Sept 2010

ATHLONE ACADEMY OF MUSIC - Annual Jazz Concert 2010

"The Athlone Academy of Music (AAM) is a non-profit organisation established in 1994 with the sole aim of providing music tuition within the Athlone area. This initiative has now expanded and has grown to include the greater Athlone community residing along the Klipfontein corridor including Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Retreat, Steenberg, Atlantis and Malmesbury to name but a few."

The aim of the AAM is to "To identify and develop the musical talents of persons from historically disadvantaged communities and others."

On Saturday, 4 September 2010, the AAM is having their Annual Jazz Concert. Top jazz artists who will feature include Melanie Scholtz, Richard Caesar, Basil Moses, Zelda Benjamin ,Connolly Big Band ,Geroes (with Tyrone Appollis) , Mamela and more.


4 September 2010, 15:00 - 18:00
Athlone Civic Centre
Admission : R70.00
Block Bookings of 20 or more @R50.00 p/p

Please contact the Director Thurston Brown @ 078 220 4655 or office 021 697 2120
mwaamus@mweb.co.za

Athlone Academy Of Music


"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