(Vickie Graaf- Raw , Ashleigh Robyn, Amanda Kunene &
Cassie Moore)
The Centre for Jazz Popular Music will present the first
ever Pop recital tomorrow (May 17) at 18h00.
This Pop recital is initiated by the four dynamic vocalists
who are recent undergrad graduates and current honours students at UKZN School
of Arts: Victoria Graaf- Raw, Amanda Kunene, Cassie Moore, and Ashleigh Robyn.
This night, demonstrates what their years at UKZN accumulated to.
Victoria Graaf- Raw: While studying at UKZN, Victoria
had the privilege of singing with the KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra;
being on the top 30 singers in SA’s Got
Talent (2014) and X Factor South
Africa (2015). Her motivation to study music further came from her high school
career as part of the KZN Youth Choir and being involved in productions.
Although having studied popular voice at UKZN, she grew to love jazz and began
fusing the two in both her singing and playing style. She is influenced by the
smooth soul sounds of Corinne Bailey Rae, Esperanza Spalding and Snarky Puppy
and hopes to start a solo career in and around Durban.
She will be joined by Riley G on the drums, Dalisu Ndlazi on
bass, Nick Pitman guitar, Siyabonga Mazibuko and Jaedon Daniels on keys. Some
of the songs to expect are Gone Under
by Snarky Puppy, What you don’t do by
Lianne La Havas and an Adele and Nathi medley (Love you in the dark and Nomvula)
Amanda Kunene:: This musician began her journey for
the love of the arts at a young age. She started singing in choirs from Primary
School and High School, and has entered local competitions winning Gateway to
Fame in 2010 at the age of 16 years and has worked with well recognized directors
and artists in South Africa. At the age of 18, she won the South African
competition ACT/DALRO Performing Arts Scholarship in 2012 to study at a
university of her choice. She has performed around South Africa and abroad in
Bangkok Thailand to represent Africa as continent for the ANOC Olympics 2016
Gala Dinner/Launch in 2014 with the legendary Madala Kunene. She has completed
her BA Music and Drama Performance Degree and is currently doing her Honours in
Popular Music, her love for music and performance never ends performing and
sharing stages with phenomenal artists from the likes of Micasa, Locknville, recently
T.I, AeonewolF, just to name a few and is motivated into pursuing the Music and
Entertainment Industry.
Cassie Moore: Graduating with a BA (music), Cum
Laude, Cassie Moore is now doing her Honours in Popular Music Studies. She also
teaches piano and singing. Moore has recently started performing a show that
she has put together for a number of old age homes and retirement villages just
to brighten their days. She is also working on putting a cabaret show together.
She will play with Dave Crundwell (guitar) a UKZN MMus graduate. They will be
doing all acoustic songs in their simplicity and beauty. Some of the tunes to
expect are Landslide - Fleetwood Mac,
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Amy
Winehouse (originally The Shirelles) and Blackbird
- The Beatles
Ashleigh Robyn: This singer-songwriter is furthering
her studies through an Honours degree in Drama and Performance studies with an
interest in using music and drama for social change. She has a passion for
writing and composing her own music and is working toward releasing an EP in
August this year. She is also part of a non-profit organization for young women
called 'She speaks' which focuses on encouraging women to tell their stories
through music, drama and poetry. Ashleigh's long term goal is to open a
performing arts high school that will provide arts education to underprivileged
communities.
Join Pop Voice Recitals participants: Victoria Graaf- Raw,
Amanda Kunene, Cassie Moore, and Ashleigh Robyn on May 17 at 18h00 with Wandile
Molefe (piano) and Paki Peloeole on (drums) at The Centre for Jazz and Popular
music (CJPM), Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College Campus.
Doors open at 17h30 with the show starting at 18h00. General
Admission R60 (R40 pensioners, R20 students). For more details, contact Thuli
on 031 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za
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