30 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY: A CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN MUSIC AND HERITAGE
The Concerts SA - Africa Month Concert Series
Concerts SA, with funding support from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (South Africa) – Mzansi Golden Economy, presents ‘30 years of Democracy: A Celebration of African Music and Heritage’, a live music concert series with the underlying philosophy of Ubuntu – ‘I am because you are; you are because I am’.
The venue and schools concert series features artists from across the continent drawn to South Africa to work alongside us in harmony and synergy.
VENUES:
24 May 2024 - KwaZulu Natal
Zoe the Seed (Swaziland) @ the Luthuli Museum
About:
Swazi-born vocalist and songwriter, Zoe Masuku, has made a career for herself in South Africa, working with local artists and creators. Join her at the celebrated Luthuli Museum situated an hour outside eThekwini for a vibrant and unifying concert.
Where:
3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, Groutville, 4450
Time:
7pm
Tickets:
Webtickets R50.00 [Link https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1548124760]
25 May 2024 Gauteng
Sony Rodrigue (Congo) & the Mara Lounge Jazz Band @ the Mara Lounge, Rand Club
About:
The newly launched Mara Lounge is part of the Rand Club in the centre of Johannesburg. Join the Mara House Band who will be performing works from around the continent. You can enjoy the concerts while journeying through the vibrant open studios as part of Contra.Joburg.
Where:
97 Fox St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2107
Time:
- 3 – 4pm : Sony Rodrigue (Congo) & the Mara Lounge Jazz Band @ the Mara Lounge, Rand Club
(Entrance Free for those who have RSVP’d [link to form]) - 5 – 7pm : Sony Rodrigue (Congo) & the Mara Lounge Jazz Band @ the Mara Lounge, Rand Club and Jam Session
(R100 at the door, Free for Contra ticket holders or musicians with their instruments)
26 May 2024 Gauteng
Stompie Selibe @ Victoria Yards
About:
Multifaceted visual artist and musician, Stompie Selibe, will be performing as part of the vibrant Contrafair.Joburg open studios. Enjoy his unique combination of new-age, indigenous and meditative music as you browse through the wonderful spaces at Victoria Yards.
Where:
16 Viljoen St, Lorentzville, Johannesburg, 2094
Time:
11am
26 May 2024 Western Cape
Dr Tete Mbambisa and Simba Morri (Kenya) @ Guga S’Thebe
About:
Join Dr Tete Mbambisa who will be launching his long awaited album entitled ‘African Day’. Simba Morri from Kenya will be introducing the concert with his band.
Where:
Washington St, Langa, Cape Town, 7455
Time:
3:30pm
Tickets:
R150 at the door
R100 for Pensioners and Students
Available from Quicket [Link here]
29 May 2024 KwaZulu Natal
Leon Scharnick & Milton Chissano (Mozambique) @ UKZN Centre for Jazz & Popular Music
About:
Hailing from a dynamic musical crossroads, Bantu’s Clef weaves together the rich tapestry of Afro-Jazz. Led by the masterful Mozambican guitarist Milton Chissano and the soulful South African tenor saxophonist Leon Scharnick, the band brings a unique sound that is both deeply rooted in tradition and invigoratingly fresh. Their music is a captivating exploration of Bantu rhythms, the lifeblood of sub-Saharan African music. These infectious grooves form the foundation upon which Chissano and Scharnick, along with their band members, Doc Vezi on electric bass and José Albert Chemane on drums, layer improvisational flourishes and sophisticated harmonies, all expressed through the universal language of Jazz.
Where:
University of KwaZulu Natal, Shepstone Building Level 2, Durban, South Africa
Time:
5.30pm
Tickets @ Webtickets: (Booking is essential)
- General R110
- Pensioners R80
- Students R50
SCHOOLS:
The Africa Month programme also includes concerts at schools in the three provinces.
- Western Cape School Concert – York Road Primary School
- Gauteng School Concert – Hammanskraal Secondary School
- KwaZulu Natal School Concerts – Groutville High School and Sansikane Primary School
Keep an eye on Concerts SA’s social media for updated schedules during the week.
For further information please contact info@concertsa.co.za or James French @ 083 419 5764
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Dr Tete Mbambisa
Born January 12, 1942 in East London, Tete Mbambisa is a South African jazz pianist. A self-taught musician, he began his musical journey in the mid-1950s when he founded two different vocal groups: the Four Yanks and the Junior Four Yanks. As a pianist, he joined the Jazz Giants in 1961, which introduced him to the Cape Town jazz scene. During the 1960s, he also performed with other artists such as the Ronnie Beer Quintet and Spirits Rejoice. While collaborating with other artists, including Winston Mankunku, Zim Ngqawana, Herbie Tsoaeli, Feya Faku and Ezra Ngcukana, he also released his own albums. These offerings include Tete’s Big Sound (1976), Did You Tell Your Mother (1979), Black Heroes (2012), and One for Asa (2017).
In 2023, Tete Mbambisa received a doctorate from the University of Cape Town for his contribution to the richness of South African Jazz.
Dr. Mbambisa will be introducing his much anticipated “African Day” (1975) album in April and May to Cape Town audiences, and will later travel to East London, Johannesburg and Durban.