(Theo Bophela. Pic by
Val Adamson)
Coming up at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal (tonight) March 18 is the Theo Bophela Album
Launch/ Concert which also includes Nqwelo Afrika Jazz Group’s Album Launch/
Concert
Nqwelo Afrika is a Township Jazz/ Marabi group that is
influenced by the Swing era. The band is led by Theo Bophela (piano), who is
joined by Moses Sefatsa (jazz tenor sax), Clarence Khumalo (drums), Jacob
Filander (lead guitar), K.B. Maphumulo (bass guitar) and Nonhlanhla Dlomo (vocals),
The title of the album is Guga Sthebe Kade Wawudlela. It features some of Durban’s most
talented younger musicians as well as veteran Jazz musicians. At 84, Theo
Bophela has played all over the country and the world. His first love is his
ensemble Nqwelo Afrika with whom he most energetically still plays his
brilliant original compositions.
Some of the band’s highlights include playing with the
KZN Philharmonic Orchestra at the ICC for the Anant Singh Now or Never Banquet as well as playing for the KZN Premiers Budget
Day Dinner at the Golden Horse Casino in Pietermaritzburg.
In addition, the band also does community work, the main
being fundraising for Masisizane Service Centre at the old age home in Inanda.
Theo Bophela is the supervisor in this organisation which is involved in
various forms of community development work. Bophela also teaches practical and
theory of music and keyboard technique privately and at the BAT Centre.
The Theo Bophela and Nqwelo Afrika Jazz Group’s Album
Launch/ Concert takes place tonight at 18h00 at The Centre for Jazz and Popular
Music (CJPM) Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College Campus.
Entry R50 (R30 pensioners and R15 students). For more
information contact Thuli on 031 260 3385 or email: Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za
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