(Oliver
Mtukudzi)
Prolific Zimbabwean musical legend, Oliver
Mtukudzi, makes a rare trip to KZN for two intimate afternoon concerts:
Caversham Mill in the Midlands this afternoon (May 24) and the Rainbow
Restaurant in Pinetown on May 25, performing with Maskanda group, Shabalala
Rhythm.
The Rainbow Restaurant is extremely
honoured to host this phenomenal artist,” enthuses the Rainbow’s Neil Comfort.
His keenness is shared by Caversham’s Di and Terry Acres: “We have been
personal fans of Oliver's for many years and now, at last, to bring him to KZN
is awesome.”
The Oliver Mtukudzi Africa Day Concerts are
presented by Concerts SA, Alliance Française and Castle Milk Stout. Concerts SA
is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative that aims to stimulate live music
in Southern Africa by finding and implementing ways to create regular, sustainable
performance platforms and stimulate a viable touring circuit throughout the
region.
Oliver Mtukudzi will be joined by Shabalala
Rhythm and supported by David Jenkins at Caversham Mill. Then Mtukudzi and
Shabalala Rhythm perform at the Rainbow Restaurant as part of their Africa Day
Concert with Akalé Wubé.
Oliver Mtukudzi (affectionately known as
“Tuku”) began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that
also featured Thomas Mapfumo. Their single Dzandimomotera
went gold and Tuku's first album followed, which was also a major success.
Mtukudzi is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's supergroup, led by
saxophonist Steve Dyer.
With his husky voice, he has become the
most recognized voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene
and he has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of
Zimbabwe's KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sings in the
nation's dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also
incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a
distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music.
Oliver primarily tours the UK, USA and
Canada performing to large audiences. A highlight for Oliver in 2013 was being
inducted into the Afropop Hall of Fame in the USA after performing to 10,000
New Yorkers at the Central Park Summer Stage Festival.
World music talent comes no finer than that
from the Shabalala family of Durban. Sibongiseni Shabalala, who now steps into
his father’s shoes to lead Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is also the core of the hot
Maskanda act Shabalala Rhythm. A hugely talented performer, Sibongiseni drives
with a passion any project he is involved with. Shabalala Rhythm began in 1998
and after writing tracks Ubuhle Bakho
and Intombi Ingalile, Durban
guitarist Maqhinga Radebe was called to join the group. Later that year the
first album was released. Since the band formed, they have gone from strength
to strength performing nationally and internationally. Their live shows are
high energy, very slick productions. Supporters of the band know to expect a
fantastic event and new followers will be swept up by their precision and
interpretation of the Maskanda style.
David Jenkins will perform at Caversham. 22
year old David, also known as Qadasi, meaning "White Person" in
isiZulu, is an accomplished Maskandi musician who developed a deep passion for
Zulu culture and music at a young age. With influences from his idols such as
Paul Simon and Johnny Clegg, there is much excitement in the promise of what
lies ahead for this Maskandi artist.
Akalé Wubé will perform at the Rainbow. Presented
through the support of the Alliance Française, this Parisian band is devoted
totally to the grooves of 60s and 70s Ethiopian music. Since their beginnings
in 2009, Akalé Wubé have been exploring passionately and meticulously the
musical goldmine of Swingin' Addis, which they discovered through the Ethiopiques compilation curated by Buda
Music.
The performance at Caversham Mill,
Lidgetton, Howick, takes place this afternoon (May 24) at 14h00 Doors open at 13h00.
Limited tickets available – R200 booked on 033 234 4524 or email cavershammill@mweb.co.za Food and
drink available.
The performance at the Rainbow Restaurant, 23
Stanfield Lane, in Pinetown takes place on May 25 at 14h00. Doors open at
13h00. Limited tickets available – R200 booked on 031 702 9161 or www.webtickets.co.za –
tickets R228 online. Food and drink available
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