Cape Town

Cape Town Photos

27 Dec 2007

JAZZATHON 2008 is on

For those of us who are anxious to know if JAZZATHON 2008 is on, don't fear, it is on. Come and support it, and don't forget, support the musicians.

Refer to this
It will happen from 10 to 13 January 2008.

Details to follow at http://www.jazzathon.co.za/

25 Dec 2007

Hamba Kahle Oscar Peterson

The legendary Canadian jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson recorded the track, "Peace for South Africa" on the 1990 Telarc cd(Telarc CD-83304), "The Legendary Oscar Peterson Trio Live at the Blue Note". It featured Oscar, Herb Ellis(guitar), Ray Brown(bass) and Bobby Durham(drums).

Like many others in South Africa and elsewhere, I would have liked to see Oscar Peterson perform live in South Africa.

Oscar Peterson passed away on 23 December 2007. Go Well Oscar.

links:
The New York Times
CTV
CTV
Chretien recalls Mandela, Peterson meeting

18 Dec 2007

Tucan Tucan at the Festival of the Chariot


Tucan Tucan will perform: Sat 29th January 2007
from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Sea Point Promenade - Beach road
Contact: 082 083 3451

The Festival of the Chariot is a two day (29 December - 30 December)
multicultural spirtual and wellness festival, celebrating diversity,
the REAL Peace Formula and Wellness – with lots of music and dance. The
highlight will be on Saturday when a 15 foot Chariot will be
hand-pulled along Beach Road, headed by marching bands, African, Indian
and Western dancers and a chanting group. this festival is offered
FREE to all citizens of and visitors to Cape Town. For more information
log into http://www.festivalofchariots.org.za/.

Tucan Tucan will also appear at the V & A Waterfront:
V & A Waterfront Amphitheatre Summer Concerts
4th January
Time: 19:30
FREE
Contact: 021-408 7600

http://www.tucan-tucan.com/
www.myspace.com/tucantucanza

New album "Make a difference"
AVAILABLE at music stores Nationwide!
www.cdbaby.com/cd/tucantucan
http://www.musica.co.za/

Jonathan Butler at the Suidoosterfees

The fifth "Suidoosterfees" will happen from 28 January 2008 until 9 February 2008 at the Artscape.

One of the highlights of this festival will be the appearrance of Jonathan Butler and his band from Los Angeles. JB and his band will give two performances.

Date: 2 February 2008, 15:00 and 20:00
Price: R200, R175, R150
Duration: 120 min
Artscape Opera House.

More info Here (please note that the information here is in Afrikaans)

Also look out for the True Love Jazz Lounge at the festival

09 Dec 2007

Hotep Idris Galeta combines with Onaje Allan Gumbs

It was only after reading through the December issue of All About Jazz - New York that I discovered about pianists Onaje Allan Gumbs's and Hotep Idris Galeta's duo concerts at New York's Shutters Cafe.

The series of concerts will run from 13 December 2007 until 15 December 2007.

On 13 December 2007 it will be a duo concert featuring Hotep's and Onaje's compositions.

On 14 December they will be accompanied by South African jazz vocalist Sathima Bea Benjamin, saxophonist TK Blue, bassist Marcus McLaurine, percussionist Bujo Kevin Jones, and drummer George Gray.

The final performance on 15 December 2007 will see Cameroonian vocalist Gino Sitson, saxophonist TK Blue and percussionist Bujo Kevin Jones joining the group.

When I spoke to Hotep in the week he was very excited about these concerts.

We hope to see these musicians in South Africa soon.

If you can make it to Shutters cafe - more info here:
SHUTTERS CAFE: Bar & Restaurant 433 W. 34th St. New York, NY 10001 212.279.3446 (Between 9th & 10th Aves. Just off Dyer Ave.)


Media Releases:
PR WEB
JazzTimes

08 Dec 2007

An invite from Eric Alan

JOIN ERIC ALAN FOR JAZZ RENDEZVOUS ON SUNDAY 09 DECEMBER AT 5PM FOR THE REGULAR DOSE OF GREAT JAZZ AND ALL THE FUN THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT ONLY ON RADIO 2000

Have fun with the Double Play back to Back on Sunday and see if you can beat genial host Eric Alan by guessing the name of the song, or find out what’s happening on the jazz scene around the country in the Gig Guide. Find out what’s where and happening on the Billboard Jazz and Contemporary Jazz Sales Charts and also on the Jazz Week Radio Play Jazz Chart. Listen to the Blues Break of the Day and our Beyond Segment, where anything goes.

We will also have Sean O’Connell member of the Cape Town funky fusion group Airborne in the studio. The band recorded a live concert this past weekend and we’ll find out how it went and the reasons that prompted the concert.

There’s all that and most importantly, great jazz, but that’s not all folks, so make a date to listen to your wireless from 5 to 8 on Sunday. Once again remember, join Eric Alan this coming Sunday evening for Jazz Rendezvous with a glass of your favourite tipple at hand to enjoy and join in fun, That’s Jazz Rendezvous, Sundays from 5pm to 8pm, only on Radio 2000.

Don’t forget to log onto the Jazz Rendezvous website for more of the latest Jazz news and information simply go to http://www.jazzrendezvous.co.za

06 Dec 2007

Hanepoot and the Biggish Band in Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West


Hanepoot & the Biggish Band play their last gig for 2007 at the Sunset Picnic Concert on Sunday December 9th at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West.

This event is hosted by the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve, who run the Educational Environmental Centre at the Reserve.

The Centre introduces young learners from the Helderberg area, including Macassar and Nomzamo, to the importance of our rich environmental heritage, and especially of conserving our fauna, flora and water.

The Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve generates funds for this programme from this Kirstenbosch-style Sunset Concert Series in the Reserve on Sunday evenings throughout the summer.

Hanepoot & the Biggish Band plays solely South African big band jazz material , including new arrangements of 'standards' by the likes of Errol Dyers, Zakes Nkosi, Hugh Masekela and Dollar Brand, as well as originals by Merton Barrow, Douglas Armstrong, David Ledbetter and Hanepoot himself. You'll hear some Cape goema and Jo'burg marabi tunes, swing and even a tango.

The Biggish Band:
Saxes: Storm de Klerk, John Ntshibilikwana, Chris Tokalon, Fred Block, Nick Green
Trumpets: Charlie Heyes, Douglas Armstrong, Daniel Kaplan, Stuart Bowen, Dean Manuel
Trombones: Jasper Cook, Andrew O'Donoghue, Mike Nixon, Jeremy Thurgood
Rhythm (gt, pno, bs, dms, perc): Colin Miller, George Werner, Sidney McKinnon, Ted Frazer

Tickets for Sunday's concert are R25 for adults and R5 for scholars. The band plays from 17h30 to 18h45, and the gates close at 20:00.

More info at http://www.helderbergnaturereserve.co.za

Jason Reolon Trio in Concert


Jason Reolon Piano
Wesley Rustin Bass
Heinrich Goosen Drums

This trio is fresh, innovative and highly entertaining in the musical stories they portray.

Following Jason's fantastic Solo Concert at the Studios, this is again an opportunity to hear outstanding Jazz in an intimate setting on a brand new Kawai Grand Piano.

Their album "Off the Record" will be for sale on the evening.

Come and enjoy an evening with excellent wine and meet the artists from this cutting edge trio.

Date: Sunday 9 December 2007
Time:& nbsp; 7:00 for 7:30pm
Price: R100 includes wine

The Kawai Piano Studios - 13 Palmer Road, Muizenberg

Contact 021 788 3720 to book or visit http://www.ianburgess-simpson.co.za/

29 Nov 2007

City of Cape Town - Environmental and Conservation publications

Note that the City of Cape Town has made available some excellent booklets and posters relating to Cape Town environmental and conservation issues and areas.

I am sure that in some of these publications you will discover flora, fauna and other things that you do not know about, but exist right on your door step.

Go explore your own city. Click Here

Melanie Scholtz - web site

For those of us who wonder what happened to Melanie Scholtz's website - it is now at http://www.melaniescholtz.net/.

Click here to go there.

Read about her bio, her cd and much more...

24 Nov 2007

Kyle Shepherd - Jazz Musician


Award winning jazz pianist Kyle Shepherd has performed on a number of stages in South Africa and abroad. With artists such as Cape legends Robbie Jansen, Errol Dyers and Alvyn Dyers,and other artists such as Zim Nqawana, Louis Moholo. In 2005,Kyle was awarded the first of the now annual Fmr/Pick n Pay travel awards for an original composition.

As a leader Shepherd fronts his own trio and quintet (The Silent Messengers), which performed on the Cape Town Jazzathon 2006.

In 2005 Kyle toured to Norway as part of a South African youth quintet. Also in 2004 and 2005 he was part of the national schools big band.

His most recent activity abroad was with a goema project along with Alex Van Heerden,Jonathan Rubain and Jack Momple. The group toured to France on two occasion as well as a performance in Malaysia in mid 2007.

Kyle also performs with a trio called "Kindred Spirits" which features him on piano and saxophone, Dylan Tabisher bass, and claude Cozens drums.

Shepherds newest project "fineART quartet" features the same trio with the addition of Buddy Wells on saxophones. the band plays original compositions by Kyle, particularly aimed at growing the sound and depth of modern creative cape jazz.

In addition to performing as pianist, saxophonist and leading a group as composer, Kyle also writes and recites poetry, plays violin and composes solo electronic exhibition pieces. One of which, "portrait of me inside of you" is soon to be performed. The piece is a collaboration of pre recorded electronic composition with visual artist and lighting artist.

23 Nov 2007

Catch the Cable Car up Table Mountain after six

Please take note of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company's summer sunset special. From 1 December 2007 until 23 December 2007 and 3 January 2008 until 31 January 2008 after 18:00 ticket cost will be halved.

Prices:-
Adult return: R65
Child return(under 18): R36

Last car up: 20:30
Last car down: 21:30

For weather info call 021 4248181
or visit Table Mountain Aerial Company

22 Nov 2007

Hanepoot and the Biggish Band - live at Cape Farmhouse, Sat 24 Nov


Hanepoot & the Biggish Band, an 18-piece big band playing South African Jazz, will be playing at the Cape Farmhouse Restaurant at Redhill (near Scarborough) on Saturday, November 24th.

Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of great food and local jazz out on the beautiful Cape Peninsula.

The Cape Farmhouse Restaurant has for some time now been presenting Saturday concerts showcasing our local musicians. These are outdoor events with food from the fire and a cash bar. The venue is able to accommodate the band come rain or shine with indoor and outdoor facilities.. so come, rain or shine..! The Cape Farmhouse is a family-run concern situated in a sheltered valley and surrounded by old oak trees. The 250-year-old farmhouse offers a relaxing al fresco lunchtime menu specialising in the tastes, spices and herbs of Morocco through to the Cape itself, as well as light snacks. As much of the produce as possible is gathered from their own organic vegetable gardens.

Hanepoot & the Biggish Band plays solely South African big band jazz material , including new arrangements of 'standards' by the likes of Errol Dyers, Zakes Nkosi, Hugh Masekela and Dollar Brand, as well as originals by Merton Barrow, Douglas Armstrong, David Ledbetter and Hanepoot himself. You'll hear some Cape goema and Jo'burg marabi tunes, swing and even a tango.

Directions: the Cape Farmhouse Restaurant is at the junction of the M66 and M65 at the bottom of Redhill road. You can drive to it either from the Ocean View side by going 3km past Scarborough, or by taking the Redhill road just before you enter Simonstown.
The music starts at 3pm. To book, please phone 021 780 1246. Entrance is R50, students: R40. More info at http://www.capefarmhouse.co.za/

The Biggish Band:
Saxes: Storm de Klerk, John Ntshibilikwana, Chris Tokalon, Fred Block, Nick Green
Trumpets: Charlie Heyes, Douglas Armstrong, Daniel Kaplan, Stuart Bowen, Dean Manuel
Trombones: Jasper Cook, Andrew O'Donoghue, Mike Nixon, Jeremy Thurgood
Rhythm (gt, pno, bs, dms, perc): Colin Miller, George Werner, Sidney McKinnon, Ted Frazer

Some other Biggish Band gigs coming up this year:
2 December: Obs Festival, Observatory
9 December: Helderberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West

19 Nov 2007

Monique Hellenberg - Jazz Vocalist


Monique Hellenberg completed her BMus in jazz studies at the University of Cape Town in 2004. She has performed with many jazz groups including the Jonny Cooper Big Band and jazz vocal group Track 5. Aside from jazz, Monique has performed as lead female vocalist with Afro-Cuban Salsa Band, Maquina Loca and she has also participated in various 60's/70's stage shows. At the beginning of 2007, Monique has also performed in the Cape Town International Jazz Festival as backing vocalist for SA's foremost ska band, The Rudimentals and smooth jazz vocalist, Bev Scott-Brown.

Monique features regularly with Breakfast Included and vocal quartet Mamavox.. Her most current achievements include being selected as the lead vocalist for the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band 2007, as well as being the winner of the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition for Singers 2007.

Jason Reolon Quartet feat Buddy Wells

Take saxophone legend, Buddy Wells, add the Jason Reolon Trio, throw in a real Fender Rhodes, all in the jazzy confines of the Armchair Theatre and you got yourself an evening of music that'll groove the very depths of your soul

their set will consist of original material mixed in with some other hip tunes

thursday 22 november 2007, starts 9pm, advisable to get there early for a seat

R30 cover charge

Lights , camera, action...

ARMCHAIR HEADSET Independent Armchair Theatre, Lower Main Road, Observatory

Buddy Wells has been a well-known figure in South African Jazz for quite some time now. He has played all over the world and isdefinitely one of the best Saxophonists this country has to offer,with a unique sound and a beautifully subtle a nd heartfelt approach to improvisation. He is well known for his work with `tribe` and has played with Feya Faku, Judith Sephuma, Moses Mololekwa, Manu Dibango, Miriam Makeba, Bheki Mseleku, Simpiwe Dana, Joe McBride, Musa Manzini, Carlo Mombelli, Marcus Wyatt, Victor Ntoni, Voice, Adamu, Interzone, FlatStanley, Vusi Khumalo, Ernie Smith, Abdullah Ibrahim, Gloria Bosman, Tucan Tucan, Thandi Klaasen, Tina Schouw, Alou April amongst many others.

Jason Reolon was winner of the SAMRO National Overseas Scholarship for best Jazz Pianist in 2001, 2 times winner of the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters competitions with his Funk`n Jazz quartet, `Breakfast Included` Recorded 2 albums with this group, Breakfast Included (2001), Nightwork Ahead (2004), performed on the North Sea Jazz Festival (2004) Jason took up his Jazz Scholarship in New York in 2004 and travelled exten sively throughout USA. He performs regularly in the Restless Natives and his own Jason Reolon Trio has just released their first album "Off the Record".

Wesley Rustin is one the most respected double bassists that South Africa has to offer, having toured internationally with artists such as Winston Mankunku and Feya Faku. He also performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland and at the 2004 Olympics. He is a gifted musician with a definitive style and his unmistakable energy and passion for jazz adds to the cutting edge vibe of this band. Wez also performs with Strait & Narro and James Stuart.

Heinrich Goosen is the next big thing to hit the South African Jazz scene and is already one of the busiest drummers in the Western Cape, he performs regularly with most top musicians around town. His mature under standing of groove and space adds a deep and dark freshness to the group. Heinrich also performs with Black Market Trio and Akoustic Not.

jasonreolon@gmail.com

16 Nov 2007

Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2008 news

One of the first recordings that I experienced in the SACD format, was the recording Another Mind by the Japanese piano player Hiromi. This is a highly recommended recording and is one of those recordings that you can listen to over and over.

This is how she describes her music:
“I don’t want to put a name on my music. Other people can put a name on what I do. It’s just the union of what I’ve been listening to and what I’ve been learning. It has some elements of classical music, it has some rock, it has some jazz, but I don’t want to give it a name.” —Hiromi Uehara

It is with great excitement to hear that Hiromi is included in the line-up for the 2008 Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

When you go visit a music store again, give Hiromi a listen. You will not be disappointed.

For more news on "Africa's grandest gathering", point to the following links:
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
News at Jazz Rendezvous

Register to receive the CTJF newsletter

14 Nov 2007

Live Recording with Airborne and Guests

Attend a live recording with Airborne and Guests.

DATE: 5 December 2007 19h30 for 20h00 till 23h30
TICKET SALES: Florence O'Connell 082 374 2664 mattoni@telkomsa.net
TICKET PRICE: R250
VENUE: Nassau Centre, Groote Schuur High School, Palmyra Road, Newlands

Click here for the bigger picture

AIRBORNE RECORDS

12 Nov 2007

in concert North Sea Big Band

As Arne Hiorth is saying "So , finally , we are getting Shannon to Norway , and at the same time starting up a wonderful new big band...."

"...this will be a new international band , and we are looking for gigs / workshops all overthe world..."

Check out the details for the concert, click here.
Some of these musicians have visited South Africa many times. We are also looking forward to see the North Sea Big Band in South Africa.

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra

Who is the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra?

Fifteen exuberant musicians and two wonderful vocalists in a well-oiled, freewheeling ensemble that is both adventurous and polished.
program devoted to creative interpretations of the tremendously inspired and varied music of Duke Ellington, along with original works by bandleader Mark Harvey and others.

When: This Friday, November 16, 7:30 PM
Where: Cape Elizabeth High School
345 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA
Admission: $10 ($5 students)
Information and reservations: 207-799-3309, ext 111

Also on the same day:
Open rehearsal (free admission): 2:30 to 3:30 pm
Pre-concert panel discussion: 7:00 pm
Post-concert Meet-the-Artist reception: 9:30 pm

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, celebrating its 35th season, will make its Portland-area debut at Cape Elizabeth High School on November 16, in a concert called Ellington Extensions. The program features full orchestra with vocalists Jerry Edwards and Grace Hughes, in an exhilarating mix of Duke Ellington classics and rarities. Selections will include "The Mooche" from the Cotton Club period, favorites such as "Solitude" and "Come Sunday," as well as "Freedom" from the Second Sacred Concert, and music from Ellington’s film score for Otto Preminger’s Anatomy of a Murder. In addition, the band will perform music director Mark Harvey's piece Beyond, a tribute to Ellington’s concept of moving “beyond category” in life and music.

Founded in 1973, the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, 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. Winner of the 2000 Independent Music Awards, the band has premiered more than 100 works for jazz orchestra and has released 8 CDs (Leo Records, 9Winds, other labels) to international acclaim, with 2 new CDs due out in 07-08.

Aardvark has concertized widely, appearing at the Boston Globe Jazz & Blues Festival, Lake George (NY) Jazz Weekend, Colby College, Williams College, Princeton University, Equinox Music Festival, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, Berklee Performance Center, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, St Peter’s Church (NYC), and many other venues. The band appeared in a CBS Evening News special on Boston’s First Night and has been featured on numerous NPR-affiliate radio broadcasts. Members of Aardvark recorded improvisational scores for the critically acclaimed DVD series Treasures from American Film Archives.

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 others. He is a Music Lecturer at MIT and a winner of awards/commissions from ASCAP, the National Endowment, Meet the Composer/Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Commissioning Program, Organization of American Kodaly Educators, the 15th Annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert, and the MIT Wind Ensemble, among others. Dr. Harvey lectures widely on American music, jazz history, and the music of Duke Ellington.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is managed exclusively by Americas Musicworks
Rebecca DeLamotte, Managing Director
29 Newbury Street, West Somerville, MA USA 02144
Tel: 888-887-7169 ~ Email: delamotte-amw@comcast.net

SEKUNJALO EduJazz Concert 2007


The Sekunjalo EduJazz concert is one of those annual events on the jazz calendar not to be missed.

This year the concert will happen on Sunday, 2 December 2007 at the Baxter Theatre, in Rosebank, starting at 19:00. Price R60. Tickets available from Computicket.

Bands participating include The Darryl Andrews Band, The Little Giants and The Muizenberg High Jazz Band.

11 Nov 2007

Visual Studio 2008 Jumpstart DevChat

Introducing you to a lot of the fabulous features in Visual Studio 2008 - releasing in the next few months.

Smaller cities
Bloemfontein - 12 Nov 07
East London - 14 Nov 07
Port Elizabeth - 16 Nov 07

Larger cities
Johannesburg - 19 Nov 07
Durban - 20 Nov 07
Cape Town - 22 Nov 07

Space is limited! Book your seat today!

Agenda

Time

Description

08:30

Registration

09:00

Quick lap around Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5

09:45

What’s new in C# 3.0 and Visual Basic.NET 9

11:00

Tea Break

11:15

LINQ (LINQ-to-XML; LINQ-to-Objects; LINQ-to-SQL)

12:30

.NET Framework 3.5 enhancements

13:00

Lunch

13:30

Building ASP.NET Ajax Web Applications

14:00

Building Web applications with Windows Communication Foundation

14:45

Workflow Services: Combining Windows Communication Foundation and Windows Workflow Foundation

15:30

Tea Break

15:45

What’s New with Visual Studio Team System 2008

16:30

Building and Debugging SharePoint Workflows with Visual Studio 2008

17:00

Building Mobile Applications using the .NET Compact Framework 3.5

17:30

The End



06 Nov 2007

HOTSPOTS

The word "hotspot" can be used in so many different contexts and for diffrent meanings. If you really have our environment at heart, go have a look at the online book, "Hotspots Revisited: Earth's Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions". Click Here

It covers hotspots all over the globe and include two of our own regions: Cape Floristic Region and Succulent Karoo.

31 Oct 2007

Nic le Roux Tribute - Jazz At The Nassau


Can you believe it is almost a year since one of the gentle jazz giants of Cape Town passed away. Saxophonist, Nic Le Roux passed away on Tuesday, 07 November 2006.

Pianist and long time collaborator with Nic, Fred Kuit together with Cliff Wallis is staging a tribute for Nic at the Nasseau on Sunday, 4 November 2007.


Music for the evening will include some of Nic's compositions. Buddy Wells, Darren English, Claude Cozens and Benjamin Jephta will join Fred.

Guest artists include master jazz guitarist Alvin Dyers and jazz vocalist Melanie Scholtz.

Sunday, 4 November 2007, 19:30
Nassau Centre
Groote Schuur High School
Palmyra Road
Newlands

Tickets 021 762 2726

30 Oct 2007

Armchair Headset featuring the Marc De Kock Quartet


Combine the unmistakeable sound of saxophonist Marc De Kock with the likes of the funky Jason Reolon Trio and you're in for a seriously explosive musical experience.

The band:

Marc De Kock | Sax
Jason Reolon | Piano
Wesley Rustin | Bass
Heinrich Goosen | Drums

These highly renowned Jazz artists each perform in many different jazz groups including Restless Natives, Breakfast Included, James Stuart, Strait & Narro and the Black Market Trio

This Thursday's Headset Performance will be a LIVE RECORDING

They'll be performing material written by Jason Reolon, Joshua Redman, Michael Brecker and Don Grolnick ranging from funk to latin to swing to 'proudly South African' grooves

If their previous packed out performance at the Armchair Headset in August is anything to go by, this promises to be a mindblowing show

starts 9pm, advisable to get there early for a seat

R30 cover charge

Fasten your seatbelts...

One of my favourite Don Grolnick tunes is 'Pools'. Hope they're gonna cover it.

29 Oct 2007

Free tools and applications for web developers

If you are a web developer or just looking for free web development tools or applications, check out Andrew Sellick's "100 great free and open source tools and applications for web developers".

28 Oct 2007

Mike Laatz

I came to know about and met Mike at the legendary Saturday Afternoon Jazz Sessions at the Landrost Hotel in Lansdowne.

Mike is a professional musician, radio presenter and compiles crosswords for a newspaper.

Please check Mike's blog at http://mikelaatzgigguide.blogspot.com/

links:
http://mikelaatzgigguide.blogspot.com/
http://wealth-web.blogspot.com/
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=15126

27 Oct 2007

Table Mountain Blues Summit


The Biggest and Best Blues celebration will be held on the 10 November 2007 from 17h00 until midnight, at the Tafelberg Tavern just off Hope Street in Cape Town.

The groups/artist taking part are Acid Blues, The Lonesharks, Dave Ferguson,Delta Blue,Boulevard Blues,Dan Patlansky.

Cost is R160 - book at Computicket at http://www.computicket.co.za/ or call 083 9158000.

Please check http://www.boulevardblues.co.za/ for more details on the bands and artists taking part.

Email enquiries to Boulevardb@gmail.com

links
Boulevard Blues
Delta Blue
Dan Patlansky
www.myspace.com/danpatlansky
Computicket

promo newsletter

A Blues Festival Of Epic proportions

On the 10th of November the best of the Blues comes to Tafelberg Tavern at 105 Hope Street, Cape Town City centre.
With the Mighty Table Mountain Towering in the background over the Tavern, it is a fitting venue for The Table mountain Blues Summit.
This is the 2nd year round for the Blues Summit after a wonderful start in 2006 with a special Blues Broers once off performance.
It was an incredible debut for a Blues festival with a crowd of 400 plus having a night to remember.
This year it promises to be even better and will cover much of what is happening in blues today and what has happenned over the many years with the performances of some world class blues acts, two of the best sound engineers in the country
and a great 8000watt PA system to Boot.

Don't miss
- Acid Blues
- The Lonesharks
- Dave Ferguson
- Delta Blue,
- Boulevard Blues
- Dan Patlansky

Strut their stuff on a night that will surely climb high on the Cape Town entertainment calender in the years to come.
There is a huge un-tapped Blues market out there and this event will go a long way to quench it's thirst.
Kitchen and Bar facilities will be available and fully stocked for the evening.
Secure outside parking with Security Guards will be Provided.

The Tafelberg Tavern in Cape Town hosts the Biggest and Best Blues celebration in the country.
November the 10th doors open 4pm (bands from 6pm till 12pm)

Bookings for the Table Mountain Blues Summit are open. You can book online at http://www.computicket.co.za/ and search for the Table Mountain Blues Summit.
Tickets are R160.
Or you can phone and book through computicket on 083 9158000

One night of the best blues Lineup in SA History.The Tafelberg Tavern in Cape Town just off Hope street hosts the Biggest and Best Blues celebration in the country.Don't miss the likes of Acid Blues, The Lonesharks, Dave Ferguson,Delta Blue,Boulevard Blues,Dan Patlansky strut their stuff on November the 10thTickets are R160 though Computicket http://www.computicket.com/ or phone 083 9158000 to book your place.The Blues Summit promises to cover much of what is happening in blues today and what has happenned over the many years with the performances of some world class blues acts, two of the best sound Engineers in the country and a great PA system to Boot.

Tickets are limited so book early to get your place.

Here are the Bands:

Acid Blues

The band is:

James Kibby - Vocals and GuitarVic Higgins - Drums
Maurice Paliaga - Bass Guitar

Their music isn't just blues - it's Acid Blues, a concept fusing blues with funk and jazz, then soaking it in copious amounts of sonic psychedelica. A new sound for a new era !

The band has survived two major line-up changes over the years. Original bass player Christoph von Walter (ex Boomslang) moved on in January 2006 and was replaced by Dave Ridgeway, who, in turn, moved on in November 2006, to be replaced by Maurice "The Passion" Paliaga. Their CD, ACID BLUES LIVE AT CARNIVAL COURT VOL 1, which will be on sale on the day, reflects all three phases of ACID BLUES, with founder members James Kibby on guitar and vocals, and Vic "The Light" Higgins on drums, with the three different bass players to date, and covers the different moods and sounds that all three line-ups have presented to the many and varied Friday night revellers who have formed their support base.

If you want to hear what an excellent blues band would sound like after taking some acid without actually taking any, then don't miss these Summit openers.......they really offer something different and refreshingly good.



The Lone Sharks
The band is:

Dave Ferguson - Harmonica & Vocals
Ted Baumann - guitar & Vocals
Paul Tizzard - drums
Roger Bashew - Bass

They are Cape Town's own highly entertaining "true to the genre" Chicago Blues band, they play their own brand of Blues mixed with Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco with the recommended daily allowance of Country Twang.

Ted Baumann a seasoned Blues veteran has been laying down the Blues since Van Riebeeck first came to the Cape....

He knows the Blues well and tells a mean story though his Chicago blues infused guitar playing.

Paul Tizzard the highly acclaimed drummer for The Usual is as solid as a piece of lead and keeps the rest of the band right in the groove.

Dave Ferguson has to be one of the best harmonica players in the world. This man is a show on his own!

He was born in Cape Town where at the tender age of 17 he started playing the harmonica and cut his teeth in various Blues, Rockabilly, Rock and Country bands.

He returned from the UK where he has been living and working for the last 10 years including a stint in Nashville and some gigs in Australia. Something of a regular on the London Blues scene he also played with the now US based Alt. Country outfit "The Arlenes”, Emily Barker (The Low Country) and John Townes Van Zandt. He has appeared on a number of commercial releases one of which went double platinum in the UK and Ireland.

So what we're trying to say is Expect energetic Blues-harp and guitar driven tunes and an unavoidable good time...




Delta Blue
Delta Blue confirms their reputation as an ever evolving , innovative and highly original group with their 1st performance at the Summit this year.

They have had a long journey, like most bluesmen inevitably should. Driven by a need to play and live this most mystical and magical of music genres, the blues has taught us much about music, life and what it means to befriend the long open road. A musical journey that started mainly with twelve bar blues has picked up a lot of influences along the way, but has always stayed close to the hallelujah.

Kicking off as a two-piece boogie act consisting of Riaan Nieuwenhuis and Gerald Clark, the band was soon joined by Almuir Botha on lead guitar, Alwyn Jordaan on drums and Schalk van der Merwe was employed as a bass guitarist. Alida Stadler soon replaced Alwyn and thus became one of the few accomplished female drummers in South Africa.This outfit played memorable performances at venues such as:

— Kirstenbosch Gardens
— Oude Libertas Theatre
— Oppikoppi Rock Festival
— Kaktus Oppi Vlaktus
— Up the Creek
— Splashy Fen
— Windhoek Warehouse Theatr
eand many smaller venues around the country.

Delta Blue soon became responsible for introducing this genre of music to many a virgin ear and soon made fans all over the country- not only of the band, but also the blues! In 2002, a young guitarist, Henry Steel, took the reins from Almuir Botha. With Alida Stadler leaving the band in 2004, the road seemed to be heading towards a dead end. The band regrouped and asked Jaques Schutte (drummer for the Albert Frost Trio) to step up on the drums. This new outfit managed to pull Delta Blue out of the depths of disregard, and the road opened itself up to us once more as invitations to many festivals and prime venues such as: Mannenbergs, Green dolphin and Kennedy?s Cigar Bar came our way. Such good times were had with our new music vehicle, that no one noticed the winds of change heading our way.

Jaques decided to move on and was soon replaced by the highly acclaimed drummer, Tim Rankin. Riaan Nieuwenhuis left soon after, making the band a four piece.A couple of gigs were played including an outstanding performance at the Oppikoppi 10th year anniversary, Delta Blue being the first band to play on the new permanent main stage, ?The Most Amazing Main Stage.? After feeling the musical void that Riaan?s keyboard left, the band decided to reinstate the missing notes and Jan Krynauw got the position.The current band members are very grateful to all of these fine musicians for their contributions and input into the band, Delta Blue, for making it what it is today.

With a line up consisting of highly talented, experienced and seriously handsome musicians aka Bluesmen, Delta Blue is on its way. So, whenever you are in need of some good soul music, ?unlike the reclusive celebrity outfit, Delta Blue like to play live, in and around rather nice accessible areas with old wine smells, broken midnight schwingles and dirty, dirty corner antics? please arrive in a bigoldblackcar.?

Check them out at http://www.deltablue.co.za/

Boulevard Blues

Be sure not to miss another polished performance by the Boulevard Blues....

If you ever thought that the Blues is a gloomy business – think again!

These guys bring you the rockier side of the Blues and have some kick-ass numbers and Originals that are guaranteed to get even the most Jaded individual up on their feet and rocking out.

Fronted by the infamous Dr John the man who went round the block and then went round again just because he knew he could.

He is the real deal Blues veteren……he doesn’t just sing the blues ……..he lives the blues…..

With Blue blood pumping through his veins they once opened him up to see if he really was the real deal and after finding whiskey dust in most major organs he was proclaimed the ever popular Doctor of the Blues.

With some Blistering lead guitar from Richard "Pebbleman" Pryor the action doesn’t stop……He’s been fine tuning his blues skills with high octane rock induced solos and a great passion for setting the blues world on fire….Watch him at your own risk......

Checkout his solo rock project over here...... http://www.pebbleman.co.za/ and www.myspace.com/pebblemanproject

Greg Smith completes the frontal assualt with his intricately woven harp solos and some percussive skills that only a man with a giant Heart, one kidney and a huge Turkey neck can achieve.

Backing them up is the ever jovial and hugely present Graeme Abbott….He knows how to lay down a groove and keep it laid good.

That's why he's so popular with the ladies.

With Robbie Stemmett working this groove and covering the backline with warm funk induced catatonia……
he is the true master and gatekeeper of the low frequencies.
Where have they been? here are a few places.
- Oppi Koppi way of the Dassie 2007
- Savannah Up the Creek, 2003,2004, 2005
- Durban International Blues Festival 2007
- The Table Mountain Blues summit 2006
- Colesberg Harley Davidson rally 2006 2007
- Rocking the Daisies Music Festival 2007
- Graaf Reiniet Harley Davidson Rally 2007
- Jam Rock Ladismith 2004
- Hermanus Whale Festival, 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
- KKNK Oudtshoorn 2001,2002 2003 2005
- Robertson Rocks Festival 2005 2006
- The 1st Rocktober Festival
- Kirstenbosch Appletiser Summer Concerts 2004 and 2005
- Kirstenbosch Silvertree Winter Concerts 2005 and 2007
- Wingerdstock 2003
-Down South Blues Fest at Arrabella Sheraton 2007- Tafel Lager ‘Warehouse Blues Show’, Windhoek, Namibia
-And Tsumeb 2007

If you want to see, hear, meet and even get to smell a world class blues band........then come and see the Boulevard Blues strut their stuff at the Blues Summit this year

Boulevard Blues T-shirts,their new Live CD 'Live and Direct' and their debut album 'About Time' will be on sale.

Richard Pryor’s Solo Rock project Pebbleman will be on sale too.
Boulevard Blues are:

Dr John Mostert (ex Blues Broers lead singer) Lead Vocals

Richard Pryor Lead Guitar ,backing vocals

Greg Smith Blues Harp, percussion and backing vocals

Robbie Stemmett Bass guitar

Graeme Abbott Drums and Giggling between songs

Debbie Pryor on The Cajon for all our acoustic sets


Send them a mail at boulevardb@gmail.com and you will promptly be added to the BB mailing list.or goto http://www.boulevardblues.co.za/ and www.myspace.com/boulevardblues





DAN PATLANSKY-Master of the Blues guitar
Some of the better guitar players and a few “blues-nuts” may understand when I paint the following picture.

A Battle-scarred red 1962 Fender stratocaster, scalloped fretboard, extra wide (bass guitar size) frets and extra heavy gauge strings tuned down a semi-tone a la Jimmy Hendrix style.
This is more a weapon of mass destruction than a guitar and it is the preferred tool of a serious axeman called Dan Patlansky.
Proper blues gigs are hard to find in South Africa and a really good three-piece blues-band is even rarer, so when you do find them, they are to be treasured. In a three-piece set-up, there is nowhere for a mediocre player to hide. No keyboard or second guitar to cover-up the little mistakes. Every error is instantly obvious. But as unforgiving the three-piece environment is for the average musician, so rewarding it is for the master of his craft and his audience. There is space tor the musicians to explore, every subtle bend of a string, every tiny tickle of a cymbal can be savoured and this is exactly what you can expect at the Summit this year.
When I heard Dan Patlansky the first time in 2002, he was 19 years old, playing in a nice, dodgy, smoky blues bar called Julians in Northcliff, JHB. My jaw literally dropped open.. It was supposed to be impossible for somebody that young to play the blues-guitar that well.
Now 25 years old, Dan Patlansky has already achieved what most accomplished guitarists will not master in a lifetime of trying. He’s is beyond the stage of trying to impress his audience with too many notes... (although he can be blisteringly fast if he wants to ). Instead he has lately concentrated on being an artist and doing justice to the music of some of the great players he has learned from. He can make the guitar moan softly in anguish, sing with playfull happiness and growl in anger.
Blues can be played on most instruments, but it is on the electric guitar that this genre really comes into its own, and Dan Patlansky is one of the finest exponents of this artform you will ever see. Whatever you do, don’t miss it!
Jurgen Human :(Die Boer) Oct 2007
.....................................................................................
In February 2005 Selwyn Miller, the New Orleans based manager of David Gates and Bread, Randy Crawford and Petula Clark, took Dan to America to promote his prodigious talent.
While living in the City of the Blues he performed with such giants as Henry Gray (pianist for Howlin’ Wolf), Snooks Eaglin, The Batiste Family and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr and enjoyed great success.
What this South African lad achieved in a few months many thought would take years.
Hurricane Katrina cut short this opportunity and Dan returned to South Africa, leaving behind some valuable equipment.
Plans are in place for Dan’s return to the U.S. to work with Grammy winning producer David Z.
World-renowned guitar manufacturer, Fender, recognized Dan’s pyrotechnic talent and offered an endorsement to promote the company’s products.
In 2005 Dan performed in Dubai at the Coca Cola Company Celebration along with UB40 and Shaggy – an unprecedented achievement for a young South African musician.
In 2006 Dan performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival sharing top billing with Jose Feliciano, Miriam Makeba, Louis Vega and Freddie Coleman.
He has also played at major music festivals and venues across South Africa:
Splashy Fen,
Oppikoppi,
Durban International Blues Festival,
Southern Cross,
Walking The Blues Concerts,
Sand Du Plessis Theatre (Bloemfontein),
the Green Dolphin (Cape Town),
the Blues Room (Johannesburg) and has
Toured extensively from small towns to the big cities.
Dan has now released his third album, “REAL”, which show-cases his song-writing abilities using a down-to-earth blues sound with a modern twist.
Dan has recently returned from Mozambique where he head-lined the STRAB Music Festival.
His CD “REAL” is played in Australia on 101 FM and in America on WWOZ FM New Orleans and on which Dan has been play-listed since 2005.
Dan is accompanied in South Africa by Andy Turrell on drums and Errol “Smelly” Fellows on bass. His sidemen in the US are David Batiste Sr. (keyboards) who has worked with Gladys Knight and the Pips and The Meters, Stanley Perkins Jr. (bass) and Jamal Batiste (drums).
Check Him out at http://www.danpatlansky.com/ and ...................... www.myspace.com/danpatlansky or See him in Flesh at The Summit

25 Oct 2007

Julian Beever - Pavement Artist

Some of us dig graffiti. For something else, check out the pavement drawings of Julian Beever. Click Here

20 Oct 2007

Cape Town International Kite Festival 2007

Taken on Saturday, 20 October 2007 at the Cape Town International Kite Festival in Muizenberg.

The festival is the biggest kite festival in Africa. Funds raised at the festival is in aid of Cape Mental Health.











19 Oct 2007

SONGS WORTH SINGING

This is an invitation from the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation to attend two FREE workshops at the NASSAU AUDITORIUM, PALMYRA ROAD, NEWLANDS SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER FROM 09AM-2PM (WITH A POSSIBLE 1 HOUR JAM SESSION AFTERWARDS).

Please note that this is the fourth and fifth workshops of a project that Valdi Van Reenen-le Roux, Glenn Robertson, Zayne Adams, Robbie Jansen, Darryl Andrews, Ian Smith, Errol Dyers, Paul Sedres, Sammy Weber, Trevor Sampson, Camillo Lombard and Tony Drake are all involved in - it is called: "SONGS WORTH SINGING". This will continue to be rolled out over the next couple of months where we will be continuing the workshops, seminars, recordings, a CD and a possible DVD.

On Saturday, 27 October, the following workshops will be rolled out:

THE FIRST SESSION WILL BE FACILITATED BY ERROL DYERS, SPENCER MBADU AND ZAYN ADAM.

Time: 09h00 - 11h00
Topic: MUSIC AS ECHOES OF OUR PAST
This session will deal with music and songs from the various cultures in the Western Cape and the musicians will play examples of these songs.

THE SECOND SESSION WILL BE FACILITATED BY IAN SMITH, DUKE&EZRA NGCUKANA, ROBBIE JANSEN, SPENCER MBADU, GEORGE WERNER, COLIN MILLER

Time: 11h30 - 13h30
Topic: CAPE JAZZ AND AFRO JAZZ
This session will deal with CAPE JAZZ and AFRICAN JAZZ and will feature songs written by local artists. Musicians to bring their instruments along.

PLEASE INVITE ANYONE THAT YOU KNOW WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE WORKSHOPS - IT IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION - FREE OF CHARGE!!!!!

For more information on these workshops, contact Valdi Van Reenen-Le Roux on:
Tel: 021 7637124 or via email: vvrleroux@ijr.org.za

16 Oct 2007

Dizu Plaatjies At SACM


Please note that Multi-instrumentalist, Dizu Plaatjies will perform in a free lunch time concert at the Chrisholm Recital Room at the South African College of Music. Dizu is worldwide known for his association with the group Amampondo.

When: Thursday, 18 October 2007 at 13:00

The South African College of Music is behind the Baxter Theatre.

Some info links:
http://www.maitemusic.com/45dizu_ang.htm

http://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=151

http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/i-am-dizu-plaatjies a video

Enjoy! Promote!

11 Oct 2007

Jason Reolon Trio at The Kawai Piano Studios


Jason Reolon | Piano
Wesley Rustin | Bass
Heinrich Goosen | Drums

This trio is fresh, innovative and highly entertaining in the musical stories they portray.

Following Jason's fantastic Solo Concert at the Studios, this is again an opportunity to hear outstanding Jazz in this special intimacy and ambience.

Come and enjoy the evening with fine food and wine and, as always in our venue, Up Close and Personal with the artists.

Date: Sunday 14 October 2007

Time: 6:30 for 7:00pm

Venue: The Kawai Piano Studios: 13 Palmer Road, Muizenberg

Price: R130

Booking is recommended

Contact Christa on 021 788 3720

Or go to www.ianburgess-simpson.co.za

06 Oct 2007

jazz magazine : all about jazz - new york


All about jazz - NEW YORK is a free online and downladable magazine. Although the title contains New York, this free magazine covers a wide range of cd reviews, musician profiles and jazz events. Past issues is also available for download.

It is available here.

01 Oct 2007

Emily Bruce - This Love We Share

Vocalist and final year jazz student at the SA College of Music Emily Bruce has just released her debut CD This Love We Share. A packed Nassau Centre in Newlands recently saw the birth of “her baby” as she affectionately refers to her record.


The cd is a milestone for Bruce, who has plied her trade on the local professional music circuit since the late 1990s just after matriculating. An entirely self-funded project, the album sees Bruce paying homage to influences that have helped shape her talent.

Taking her cues from the great voices of the jazz era, Bruce chose a mixture of all-time great and memorable classics to adorn the album. From timeless ballads like “Beautiful Love” to Carlos Jobim’s “How Insensitive”, she reveals a matured selection of music and brings heightened emotional energy to every song.

Recognised as one of the country’s most promising young jazz voices, Bruce remains a regular on the music circuit and often performs with the city’s top musicians at venues like the Green Dolphin and Kennedy’s Cigar Bar.

This Love We Share is obtainable from Emily.

email Emily

click here for Emily's Space

Deborah Tanguy - jazz vocalist, performer, teacher & recording artist

DEBORAH TANGUY is one of the leading contemporary jazz and improvising music artists in France. She is an accomplished and award-winning performer of a variety of musical styles, including mainstream and contemporary jazz, funk, big band and popular music. Ms Tanguy is frequently engaged as a performer, bandleader and recording artist in her home country.

Ms Tanguy’s major awards include: Winner of the Young French Jazz Talent (2002); Best jazz singer at the Crest Jazz Vocal competition in 2001; and nominated as one of the 5 international discoveries of the jazz festival of Juan-les-pins in 2004.

In France she has collaborated with numerous renowned names in the French music industry, including composer-leader Glenn Ferris, big band leader-pianist Antoine Herve, pianist-composer Carine Bonnefey and more recently pop producer Shazz with who she recorded the album Beautiful for Universal Records.

Ms Tanguy leads her jazz ensemble the Deborah Tanguy Quintet, which recorded the album Out of the Blues in 2001. In 2005 she recorded the music of Carine Bonnefoy with the renowned Netherlands Metropole Orchestra under maestro Vince Mendoza, released in February 2007 under the title Outre-Terres/Overlands. Her second solo album is currently in production and features a French ensemble and South African great Carlo Mombelli.

Tanguy is in demand as a vocal teacher and coach in a variety of contexts, from schools to conservatories, university and private tutoring. Her focus is vocal ensemble and individual teaching.

Ms Tanguy has been a frequent visitor to Cape Town since February 2003, first as a guest of Jazz at the Nassau for a series of feted public performances, followed by several teaching stints at UCT by special invitation of the head of jazz studies, Professor Mike Campbell.

She has become a regular on the city’s music scene, often performing at renowned city venues like the Green Dolphin, Manenberg’s, Zula Bar, Winchester Mansions, The Table Bay Hotel, with many of SA’s most renowned music performers, including Mike Campbell, Darryl Andrews, Mike Rossi, Shannon Mowday, Andre Petersen, Clement Benny, Wayne Bosch, Mike Perry and Alvin Dyers. Her performance highlights in SA include performances for the Awesome Big Band at the National Jazz Festival (2005-2006) in Grahamstown; vocalist in Shannon Mowday’s Galumphing at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (2005-2006), The Joy of Jazz Festival, Jhb (2006) and the Baxter Concert Hall; and performing the music of Michel LeGrand with the Darryl Andrews Big Band especially commissioned by Jazz at the Nassau (2006). She is a founding member of SAFRA (South Africa-France Jazz Band), an all-female SA-France music collaboration, performing original work, which made its debut at the famous New Morning jazz club in Paris (Sep. 2006). The group is set to tour South Africa in 2008.


"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