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

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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