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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

CARLO MOMBELLI & THE STORIES ENSEMBLE

(Mbuso Khoza with the group)

Society needs its storytellers and whether those stories are told in prose, poetry or music they remind us of our humanity and shared histories. Composer/bassist and music virtuoso Carlo Mombelli is one such narrator and along with the daring collective of musicians: The Stories Ensemble is touring Southern Africa in March and April. With the support of Pro Helvetia these storytellers bring to their audiences performances that are as experimental, as they are awe-inspiring.

Mombelli is joined by traditional Zulu singer Mbuso Khoza, trombonist Adrian Mears, cellist Daniel Pezzotti, Dejan Terzic on drums and the 2014 Standard Bank Young Artist award winner for Jazz, Kyle Shepherd on piano.

Mombelli recorded the deeply personal Stories in September 2013 in Basel Switzerland with Pezzotti, Mears and Terzic who he had been playing with as part of a quartet in Europe. To this mix, Mombelli introduced Khoza. Stories was recorded, in studio using 1940s vintage microphones and was mastered on reel- to-reel tape machines. The album has been described as Mombelli’s most personally revealing album. Comprised of narratives about the people who have meant the most in his life - his wife, children and music teachers - it became a tribute to them.

Described by The Jazz Times in the USA as “disconcertingly beautiful”, this eclectic ensemble unites each musician’s diverse talent and musical background in emotionally charged improvised chamber music both acoustic and electronic.

The Stories ensemble will perform in Durban at the Centre for Jazz at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal on April 1 at 18h00. Tickets available at the door.