(The Afro Divas)
In association with Concerts SA, bassist and band leader
Philani Ngidi and female vocal trio The Afro Divas are set for a tour that will
connect two sister cities, Maputo and Durban, through the best African live
music. Philani Ngidi & The Afro Divas will be joined in a cross-border
collaboration by two great Mozambican musicians (Stelio “Stelinho” Mondlane on
drums and Zoco Dimande on lead guitar) and a South African pianist based in
Maputo, Thapelo Motshegwe.
The tour includes two performances and a workshop in Maputo –
on October 3 and 4 at Ambients Bar and Mbuva - and three performances in Durban
from October 9 to 11 at Kud’ta Jazz Lounge, Egagasini MVG Lounge and Wahooz @
Ushaka Marine World.
The Afro Divas is a female vocal trio which performs at
music festivals, corporate and private functions all over the country.
Comprised by Yolanda Cenge, Khuthala Mabhentsela and Ntombikayise Cenge, the
trio was formed in order to preserve traditional and contemporary South African
music. Working and travelling the world with Philani Ngidi since 2010, they
have performed in Dubai International Jazz Festival and the 2014 Commonwealth
Games in Glasgow. They have shared a stage with Hugh Masekela, Phuzekhemisi,
Mahotella Queens, Freshlyground, Rod Stewart and MiCasa.
The idea behind this collaborative tour is to present an
exciting, high energy show which is entertaining, has depth, range, diversity,
and a high level of music skills. This collaboration is inter-generational, as
it includes musicians of all ages; and gender balanced, as three out of seven
performers are women.
From jazz-funk to African jazz, fusion, pop and rock,
Philani Ngidi is arguably one of the most versatile South African bass players
around. Having toured internationally, he has established a strong reputation
in Europe, Australia and the US, wowing crowds with his diverse style. He has
performed and toured in Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the U.S. He is
an adjudicator for Pop Idols and is a
master of the art of collaboration. With more than 25 years of experience in
the music industry, Ngidi has worked with people like Ernie Smith, Zim
Ngqawana, Feya Faku, Pat Matshikiza, the late Lulu Gontsana, Tete Mbambisa,
Sipho Hot Stix Mabuse, Jonathan Butler, Sharon Katz. He has toured
internationally with the likes of Sipho Gumede, Mbongeni Ngema, Jerry Kunene
and many more.
See Philani Ngidi & The Afro Divas on
October 9 at 13h00
at the Kud’ta Jazz Club (Wilson’s Wharf). Admission is free. Bookings on
031 301 1650
October 11 from 19h00 until 22h00 at the Egasasini MVG Lounge in 4-6 Gillespie Street. Tickets R50 booked through 079 539 3777
October 11 from 12 noon till 16h00 at Wahooz, uShaka Marine World. Admission is
free. Bookings on 031 328 8000
Philani Ngidi &
The Afro Divas tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding
mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South
African musicians to undertake live music tours. Concerts SA is a joint South
African/Norwegian project housed under the auspices of the Stakeholder Hub
within The SAMRO Foundation; it receives financial, administrative and
technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO and
Concerts Norway.
By engaging with musicians, promoters, venue owners and
audiences, the project aims to stimulate live music in South Africa by finding
and implementing ways to create regular, sustainable performance platforms. For
more information visit http://concertssa.co.za,
follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA
or like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA.
Posts
