R.Y.T.H.M Our Music Concert 2010, Baxter Concert Hall, Cape Town, 23 Sept 2010
Reviewed by Carol Martin
Photographs: Gregory Franz
There were some stunning sounds coming forth at the Baxter's annual 'Legends in Jazz' concert sponsored by the young musos who have registered their NGO, Reaching Youth Through Music(R.Y.T.H.M). On that Thursday evening, the 23rd September 2010, a celebration of South African jazz enthusiastically engaged a crowd of like-minded musicians and listeners, as a precursor to Friday's Heritage Day .
The evening was long, with three key bands performing, but certainly worth every minute. Thanks to Mmino funding, notables like Feya Faku and his band were flown in from Johannesburg, and included bassist Herbie Tsoali, himself a Capetownian, who thrilled us with incredible runs and solo scales, Mthunzi Mvubu on alto saxophone who physically reminded one of McCoy Mburbata, not to mention his versatile sound; Ndunduzo Makathini on piano, Ayanda Sikade on drums who provided some very impressive drills, and poet Lefifi Tladi who presented lively spoken lyrics of a part political, part soulful nature. But it was Feya's leadership in presenting legendary South African jazz of past and living composers that offered substance and purpose to the evening's events.
He was preceded by local Capetownian greats in the George Werner band of young and old: trumpeter Duke Ngcukana who gave tribute to his late brother, Ezra, and his role in growing local jazz; guitarist Errol Dyers continued giving respects to the repertoire of another late legend, Winston Mankunku; and pianist George played his own older, yet unperformed song, "The Awakening", which grabbed all. The youthful backing of Carlo Fabe on drums, Wesley Rustin on bass, and Sisonke Xonti on tenor saxophone made clear that the legendary was, indeed, transferring to the younger students who were also evolving their brand of South African jazz.
Gloria Bosman took to the stage with local bassist Shaun Johannes, pianist Bokani Dyer, and drummer Frank Paco. Unfortunately, I missed this set, thanks to the engaging chats had outside with some of the above named elders of the jazz scene.
One hopes that those guys and gals behind RYTHM will continue their spirited and sincere pursuit of spreading the legacies in South African jazz, and will find sustainable funding in the future to allow them to carry out the much needed workshops in schools that educate the young about this form of indigenous music.
Reviewed by Carol Martin
Photographs: Gregory Franz
There were some stunning sounds coming forth at the Baxter's annual 'Legends in Jazz' concert sponsored by the young musos who have registered their NGO, Reaching Youth Through Music(R.Y.T.H.M). On that Thursday evening, the 23rd September 2010, a celebration of South African jazz enthusiastically engaged a crowd of like-minded musicians and listeners, as a precursor to Friday's Heritage Day .
The evening was long, with three key bands performing, but certainly worth every minute. Thanks to Mmino funding, notables like Feya Faku and his band were flown in from Johannesburg, and included bassist Herbie Tsoali, himself a Capetownian, who thrilled us with incredible runs and solo scales, Mthunzi Mvubu on alto saxophone who physically reminded one of McCoy Mburbata, not to mention his versatile sound; Ndunduzo Makathini on piano, Ayanda Sikade on drums who provided some very impressive drills, and poet Lefifi Tladi who presented lively spoken lyrics of a part political, part soulful nature. But it was Feya's leadership in presenting legendary South African jazz of past and living composers that offered substance and purpose to the evening's events.
He was preceded by local Capetownian greats in the George Werner band of young and old: trumpeter Duke Ngcukana who gave tribute to his late brother, Ezra, and his role in growing local jazz; guitarist Errol Dyers continued giving respects to the repertoire of another late legend, Winston Mankunku; and pianist George played his own older, yet unperformed song, "The Awakening", which grabbed all. The youthful backing of Carlo Fabe on drums, Wesley Rustin on bass, and Sisonke Xonti on tenor saxophone made clear that the legendary was, indeed, transferring to the younger students who were also evolving their brand of South African jazz.
One hopes that those guys and gals behind RYTHM will continue their spirited and sincere pursuit of spreading the legacies in South African jazz, and will find sustainable funding in the future to allow them to carry out the much needed workshops in schools that educate the young about this form of indigenous music.
