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#GetToKnow | Oscar Rachabane

Oscar Rachabane is on record the youngest saxophonist ever to have played at Kippies. The incredibly talented youngster made his debut at the popular jazz joint in 2004 at the age of fifteen. In 2010 he shared the stage with his grandfather Barney Rachabane in a jazz orchestra of future South African jazz stars and veterans. While a member of the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra he played at the Johannesburg City Hall an event that saw him open for the legendary Abdullah Ibrahim.

Claiming his seat as South Africa’s natural bebop exponents, Oscar is slowly yet steadily forging an impressive career in his grandfather’s Barney Rachabane’s band. His unique style combines bebop and blues, threaded through always with the inflections of the kwela Soweto youth. A remarkable young jazz talent Oscar was born and raised in Soweto and is influenced by the sounds of Stanley Turrentine, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt and our very own dearly departed Moses Khumalo. Oscar made his professional debut in 2003 at the age of 14 playing with the Soweto Jazz Quartet. Since then he has played with a plethora of well established artists including but not limited to Soweto Kinch(UK), Jason Yarde (UK), Louis Moholo, Khaya Mahlangu, Hugh Masekela , Afrika Mkhize etc Oscar has also jammed with luminaries ranging from Wynton Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane and Dave Koz.

Catch Oscar Rachabane together with Seba Kaapstad at the following venues:

Cape Town:

Wednesday 23 November 20:00 The Crypt 1 Wale St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town

Thursday 24 November 19:30 The Great Wizoo : Lower Burg Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town,

Friday 25 November 20:00 The Hive: Palmer Road, Muizenberg.

Saturday 26 November 14:30  Greatmore Studios  Woodstock Cape

Sunday 27 November 18:30  The Masque Theatre

Johannesburg

Wednesday 30 November 20:00 The Orbit

Durban

Friday 02 December 23:00 The Chairman

Saturday 03 December 23:00 The Chairman

Johannesburg

Sunday 4 December 17:00 Soweto Theatre

Personnel Oscar Rachabane : tenor saxophone, penny whistle Keenan Ahrends : guitar Sebastian Schuster : bass Thomas Worle : drums

ConcertsSA has generously supported this tour. A joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the SAMRO Foundation.

* Opening pic by Ignatius Mokone

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#Report | It Starts With A Heartbeat

“If you listen to or play live music, you are likely to be happier and healthier! That’s one of the research findings showcased in the latest report on South African live music audiences published this week by SA-Norwegian live music development project, Concerts SA.”

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#Pictures | Nelson Mandela:The Song Lives On Concert Youth Workshop

As part of the Nelson Mandela:The Song Lives On Concert, a youth workshop was hosted to impart knowledge on how to use heritage as a medium of creative expression. (Business advice on the creative - music and literary - industry was also extended) [With Concord Nkabinde, David Klaasen, Mark Fransman, Nomfundo Xaluva] [Photographer: Mark Wessels] - Source

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#Pictures | Mageshen Naidoo Jazz Vocalists Workshop

“ My workshop with jazz vocalists today @ UKZN “

Source

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#Press | Joel Karabo Elliott’s ‘Roots Grown Deep Ka Gae’ Tour

“ Along the route, they will collaborate with some of Limpopo’s finest community-based musical and visual artists and cultural activists, including sculptor-musicians Thomas Kubayi (Vutsila) and Lucky Ntimane of Elim, Mbombela Xibelani of Xawela, singer-poet Dennias Mashegwane of GaMampuru, and Avhashoni Mainganye of Thohoyandou. The ensemble will also facilitate workshops for school children and young artists in each of the villages where they perform.”

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#GetToKnow | Native Young

With members stretching from Khayelitsha to Spain, Native Young is an indie 4 piece collective that hosts a menagerie of musical talent and eclectic taste. “This project is about returning to the grass roots of pop, it’s about the melodic core, raw African rhythm and simple storytelling” explains Yannick. “It’s this simplicity that has provided us with a vehicle for deeper cultural exploration both musically and spiritually”.

When asked how he would describe Native Young, songwriter and frontman Yannick says: “It’s a constantly evolving tapestry of culture, emotion and melody”. Formed in the garage of a Gugulethu marimba maker in 2014 – these are the new kids on the block that are blurring lines and breaking cultural barriers through their own distinct brand of ‘Kasi pop’.

Their fresh collaborative sound has been creeping its way onto the local Cape Town music scene by way of enigmatic pop up street performances that have now become synonymous with the band, attracting the interest of UK indie powerhouse PIAS, who recently inked an EP single deal with the guys. Native Young also collaborated with London based producer/DJ Attaque last year on his single ‘Future Earth’ which has received high rotation on BBC radio and Triple J in Australia.

The band launched earlier in the year their mini LP 'Kings', which features a host of traditional African musicians. In addition to 'Kings', the band will also be releasing an independent electronic EP 'AM Waves' and a live acoustic album later in the year. “Music is that ephemeral expression that connects us all”, Yannick says. “It’s this sentiment that boldly shines in the raw and colourful tale of Native Young.”

Native Young’s Malawi tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

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#Press | Solomon Willy in Daily Sun

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Saxit! In Bloemfontein

“Bloemfontein..........what can we say but WOW. You have really been good to us, talent students, great venues, such appreciative audiences and just a positive vibe where ever we turned. Thank you for making this section of our tour amazing. A big thank you to Lesley Jennings for her  brilliant management skills and Concerts SA for making this happen.“

- Source

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#GetToKnow | Conroy Cupido

In association with Concerts SA, South African baritone Conroy Cupido and British pianist Yoon Chung will be performing pieces by Franz Schubert in recital during a tour across four venues in three South African provinces.

The goal of this collaboration is to promote the art song genre through the country, building audiences and also providing master classes to younger singers and pianists. These master classes will be presented at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

Introducing the collaboration, Dr. Cupido says: "Yoon Chung and I first performed together in Dallas, Texas over 10 years ago. He is a phenomenal pianist who combines passion, bravura and sensitivity; ideal when collaborating with singers."

Following the spirit of the schubertiades (events held to celebrate the music of Franz Schubert), the programme of their joint recital of piano and voice will exclusively feature works by Schubert, namely Four Impromptus D.899, excerpts from Die Schöne Müllerin, Piano Sonata D. 958, and selected pieces from Schwanengesang.

Dr. Cupido adds that "Schubert is often regarded as the cornerstone of the Lied genre. His music has the ability to transfer the texts of poets such as Goethe, Rellstab, Heine, Müller and Seidl to a visceral musical world. He mastered the art of text-painting through melody, rhythm and harmony, equally in the voice and piano, making the music almost tangible to both performer and listener."

Conroy Cupido holds degrees from Stellenbosch University, Southern Methodist University and a Doctorate in Music from The University of North Texas. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Voice at North West University. He has performed nationally and internationally with opera companies, orchestras and in concerts. He has adjudicated for SAMRO on various occasions for their national and overseas competitions/scholarships.

Pianist Yoon Chung has performed throughout Europe, Japan, Korea and the United States. In the UK, he has appeared in prestigious venues such as the Wigmore Hall, the South Bank Centre, Kings Place, St. John’s Smith Square, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Bridgewater Hall, St. James’s Piccadilly, and Waterfront Hall. His performances have been broadcast in the UK, France, the United States, Japan and Korea.

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Press | Skyjack in Mail & Guardian

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#GetToKnow | Saxit! Quartet

Since 2012, SAXIT! has been developing their vibrant and diverse sound and pushing the boundaries of the saxophone ensemble, performing a multitude of musical styles without a rhythm section. The band has performed at notable festivals such as the National Arts Festival (NAF), Infecting the City Public Arts Festival and performed at the Oude Libertas Summer Concert Series in Stellenbosch.  Following their NAF performance, Cue Magazine wrote: “The repertoire ranges from upbeat to melancholy to celebratory. This easy-going band of musicians does themselves proud!”

The band is formed by Joel Benjamin (Alto/Soprano sax), Jade de Waal (Alto sax/flute), Simon Bates (Tenor sax/flute), and Gareth Harvey (Baritone sax/bass clarinet). Asked about the role of live performance, Gareth says: “Music to most people runs close their hearts and one of the main things SAXIT! would like people to feel is, firstly, being present in the experience and not distracted by the material world. Secondly, to simply enjoy themselves. Then, our workshops aim at empowering music students with skills in developing their own careers and mastering their instruments.”

SAXIT! have collaborated in an animated short film project titled Heart and in 2015 released their debut self-titled EP. Music journalist Gwen Ansell wrote about their debut EP: “Modest in scale the release may be, but it’s an engaging and genuinely enjoyable debut, and definitely worth your ears. (…) The voice and texture of each reed sings through clear and beautiful. The playing is impressive: precise without being pedantic; empathetic, and infused with the undisguised joy of the players, with intelligent solos from everybody. Harvey creates good material. There are more catchy hooks than you might expect to find in saxophone quartet territory, and some melodies that pack a real emotional punch. (…) It has taken hard work to sound as good as SAXIT! does.”

SAXIT! Quartet’s tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

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#Pictures | Nyimbo ya Bantu in Norway

Nyimbo ya Bintou are a music ensemble from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal led by Ildo Nandja (double bass), Riley Giandhari (drums), Zibusiso Makhathini (piano), Tseleng Mokhatla (flute) and Nick Pitman (guitar). They were recently in Norway on a students’ exchange programme.

(Images via Ildo Nandja)

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#GetToKnow | Skyjack

In association with Concerts SA and Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council, collaborative jazz band Skyjack will be launching their CD on a nation-wide tour of South Africa this September. Skyjack have toured South Africa in 2013, and Switzerland in 2015 and 2016, and are excited to bring the music back to SA for their biggest tour yet, and with an album to share!

In 2015 Skyjack recorded their debut self-titled album in Switzerland.  It is an exciting record with layered, story-like compositions written by all five musicians.  From the Ethio-Jazz inspired 'Tafattala' to the modern jazz journey of 'Anonymous in New York', the pallete is wide but with a common thread throughout.

The band features South African musicians Shane Cooper (double bass), Kyle Shepherd (piano), Kesivan Naidoo (drums), and Swiss musicians Marc Stucki (tenor sax), and Andreas Tschopp (trombone).  These five musicians have a deep musical bond that brings them together as often as the cross-continental trip is possible.  This tour will also be the first time Kesivan performs on home soil since completing his Masters Degree at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston this year.

Their first shows together were on a South African tour in 2013, leading up to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown for Shane Cooper's Young Artist Award showcase.  Since then they have done two tours in Switzerland, and in 2015 won the prestigious BeJazz TransNational competition, bringing them back to perform at BeJazz Winterfestival in 2016 in Berne.

Bassist Shane Cooper says: "I am super excited to be able to bring Skyjack back to SA for this tour.  We've been growing as individuals in our own projects and every time we get back together for a tour we are invigorated by what these developments yield in this group formation.  The album represents a journey that started in 2013, and we hope to keep building from here"

Skyjack’s tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

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Concerts SA’s Norwegian Invasion

We’re currently in Norway alongside our partner venues and some valued friends. Among our activities shall be a meeting with Norwegian Live Music Association to talk about the Live Music Sector in Mzansi and Norway. Oh yes, we’ll also be attending the Oslo Jazz Festival, yay!

More images below, courtesy of Jozi Unsigned.

EXTRA: Jazz In The Native Yards’ Luvuyo Kakaza penned this article.

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#Pictures | UCT’s Ibuyambo Orchestra In Mozambique

Yesterday we had a fun and yet intense workshop with the local youth of Maputo, Mozambique :) We shared our music with them and in return they taught us a song :)

- Source

On Friday, 1 July 2016 we were once again invited to one of the top TV stations called STV- soico televisao.

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This Morning we performed for school kids. It was such an amazing and cute moment to perform and share our music with them. We brought them nothing but Joy and excitement :)

- Source

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#GetToKnow | Rowan Stuart

In association with Concerts SA, Durban's Soul Folk singer-songwriter-guitarist Rowan Stuart will be embarking on a multi-province tour this month, with performances in Gauteng, the Free State, the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, joined by Andy Turrell on bass guitar.

Rowan has created an inimitable brand of Soul Folk music, with pop and world influences. Recalling Sting's imaginative storytelling, Death Cab for Cutie's sense of space and beauty, and John Mayer's tight grooves, Rowan uses his notable prowess on the guitar as the foundation for his creativity.

His career came into full swing in 2014 with the release of Hidden Doors, his first acoustic album –fourth in his career. He has since toured South Africa extensively, and opened for some of the country's biggest acts, including The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Freshlyground and many others. Rowan's talents were recognized by Cort Guitars, who invited him to become a South African brand ambassador. On big festival stages or in intimate venues, Rowan strives for excellence with every performance.

Respected musician Nibs van der Spuy says about Rowan’s latest album: "Hidden Doors is a testimony to Rowan Stuart being a world class songwriter, singer and guitarist. This is his first solo acoustic outing demonstrating his more sensitive side, employing tasteful finger style, funky rhythms, beautiful solos and a slide break on To Deny It which is goosebump-rivetting. Rowan Stuart is an unsung hero and one hopes that with this amazing and well-crafted outing and guitar prowess that he will reach a wider audience."

Rowan Stuart’s Winter Tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

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#GetToKnow | Taxi Violence

Since their inception, Taxi Violence have gone on to rock every significant venue and headline every major festival in South Africa, as well as taking their unique brand of rock and quality live shows abroad.

It all started in September 2004, when best friends Rian Zietsman (guitar), Loedi van Renen (guitar/bass) and Louis Nel (drums) invited George van der Spuy (vocals) to a jam session... at a military base. They played their very first show in March 2005, releasing shortly after their self-titled EP.  In 2006 they published Untie Yourself, followed by The Turn (2009), Long Way from Home (2011), Sol Shake (2013), and most lately Tenfold (2014), released on vinyl.

Taxi Violence have travelled a long and independent road to proving themselves as one of the best live acts in South Africa. Their sound can be described as blues-infused, retro-rock with a pinch of sleaze and bourbon.

In the words of music writer Evan Milton, “Taxi Violence have never been a band to play things by the book. In their formative days they won a national ‘battle of the bands’ contest – and promptly politely refused the prize of a record company contract because it didn't offer them creative and financial control. Also, while their local peers dressed in skinny jeans and electro-neon and sought to emulate the burgeoning ‘indie’ sound, the band followed their guitar-slinging muse by delving into the original life-blood of rock 'n roll's harder edges.”

Some significant milestones achieved by Taxi Violence include:

Four South African Music Award (SAMA) nominations: 2008 (Best Rock Album), 2012 (Best Rock Album and Group/Duo of the Year), and 2015 (Best Rock Album).

Five MK Award nominations: 2005, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014.

Living It Up used in Audi SA / Protea Cricket Master Class online campaign in 2016.

Featured on ProSieben German TV channel Taff, documentary aired in 2016 across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Teamed up with Windhoek lager in Nationwide Beer Brand meets Rock & Roll band campaign in 2015.

Voted ‘Best Live Act of 2007’ by Media24.com.

Untie Yourself reached number four on 5FM’s Top 40 (2007), and was voted GQ Magazine’s ‘Album Of The Month’ in January 2007.

Toured in Germany and Holland in 2009, had four tracks playlisted on Fritz Radio, and headlined the Nokia Rock Summer Tour.

Jimi's Revenge was chosen as theme song for the popular show, MAN TV on SABC (2010).

Devil 'n Pistol featured in Spud 2: The Madness Continues, starring John Cleese (2013).

Collaborated with Zakes Bantwini and Jon Savage in 2014. The single, Wanna Let Go reached number 2 on the 5FM Top 40 Chart.

Won a national battle of the bands in 2005 (RBF Studios Emerging Sounds Competition).

The Turn’s music video, directed by Ryan Kruger, won two awards at the Wirral International Film Festival 2010 in England. Ryan won ‘Best Director of Music Video’ and Philip Hotz won the Vesbin Award for ‘Best Actor’.

Heads or Tails won ‘Best Video Award’ at Wirral International Film Festival 2011. Again, directed by Ryan Kruger.

Taxi Violence’s tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.

Nelspruit – Innibos Festival

Friday 1st July – 10pm – R 150

Address: Geelhoutlaan, Innibos Festival Grounds, Bergvlam High School, 1200 Nelspruit

Bookings: 013 741 5294 / andy@innibos.co.za / Event Page

Johannesburg – Smugglers Pub

Saturday 2nd July – 8.30pm – R 60

Address: Corner of Riverbend Road & Witkoppen, Northriding, Randburg

Bookings: 082 773 2825 / devon@smugglerspub.co.za / Event Page

Johannesburg – The Good Luck Bar

Sunday 3rd July – 12pm – R 60 (pre-sale) / 80 (door)

Address: 14 Alexander Street, Ferreirastown, Johannesburg

Bookings: 060 835 3713 / info@goodluckbar.co.za / Event Page