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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL



Festival gets underway in a spectacular fashion with music out of the top drawer. (Review by Keith Millar)

The eighth Durban International Blues Festival got underway in a spectacular fashion last night. Not only was the music out of the top drawer but the weather Gods played along and produced one of the most perfect evenings possible.

The lightest breeze cooled the warm evening air as the multitude of city lights reflected off the still water of the harbor, disturbed only by the occasional wake of a fishing boat sliding quietly past. Overhead starlight competed with a huge orange full moon rising slowly over the bay. All in all, quite a magical setting in which to enjoy some foot-stomping blues music.

The evening started at the Catalina Theatre with a performance by a group called The Reals. They turned out to be none other than the well-known and very accomplished tribute band from Heritage Theatre in Kloof. Only now transformed into a Blues outfit.

Featuring Dawn Selby on keyboards, Barry Thomson on guitar and vocals, Jason Andrew on bass and the “God of Thunder” Mali Sewell on drums, these excellent musicians produced a rousing set of blues music which kept the audience very happy.

South Africa seems to have an abundance of very good guitarists and Barry Thomson must rate amongst the best. He also has a nice raspy voice which suits this genre of music.

The Reals played music from Billy Preston, Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn amongst others. A highlight for me was Dawn playing of her Hammond keyboard during Jimmy Smith’s 8 Beats for Rita.

Also introduced during the show was a new young talent. Guitarist Roark Kemp is a 15 year-old schoolboy from DHS. He plays the blues like a veteran and I am sure we will hear more of this young man.

Then it was downstairs to Zacks and the amazing view.

 Zacks, which could be regarded as the home of blues music in Durban, has a varied menu at very reasonable prices. So with the appetite suitably catered for, it was time to settle down and listen to Durban’s own Afrikaans blues outfit, Zwarte Piet. Although their style is possibly more rock than blues they certainly got the party going.

Next was East Coast Basement Blues. This local four piece group has Keith Fordyce on guitar, Mike Thomas on vocals, Anton Els on bass and Adi Wilson on drums. They play their own “different genre” of blues and rock music. Their varied programme kept the action going and the audience jubilant until late.

Kudos should also go to sound engineer Gordon Jackson. It is never easy to get balances right when groups follow straight after each other. Last night he was spot on.

Blues music probably remains a genre with a limited following. However, initiatives such as the Durban International Blues Festival are fast changing that. The festival runs until October 7, but if the crowds at Zacks last night are anything to go by, you had better book your seats soon!

Bookings through the Catalina Box Office or on 031 305 6889. More information on the festival from Tanya van Agthoven Marais on 082 747 9738 or visit www.durbanbluesfestival.co.za – Keith Millar