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
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