(Salim Washington)
The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music will present The
Sankofa Band on August 3.
Drawing its’ inspiration from the Sankofa bird, a Ghanaian
symbol of the return of diasporic Africans to the motherland, the Sankofa band
is a true representation of moving forward whilst looking back. With matured
sounds honouring the traditions of jazz and sounds of today that tell stories
of modern day life, this collective of South Africa’s great jazz musicians is
led by Professor Salim Washington.
For this special ensemble, Professor Washington brought
together musicians whom he feels share his sentiments about music and life. Now
residing in South Africa for the past three years, Salim has recorded his third
album upon his return to the motherland. For this band, 2016 begun on a high
note in January as they left crowds in great admiration after their
performances in Johannesburg at the Afrikan Freedom Station, an Afrocentric
multimedia gallery in Westdene and the warm sophisticated bistro venue and jazz
club, The Orbit. Recorded at the SABC Studios, lovers of jazz music are
patiently waiting for the release of the spiritually moving music they experienced,
enticing all those that were not present to experience it live through the rave
reviews the shows received. The album is due for release before the year ends.
This project includes jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, Ayanda
Sikade on drums and Dalisu
Ndlazi on bass. Joining Professor Washington in the horn section are Siyanda Zulu and Leon Scharnick. Some selections will feature a
four-piece vocal choir of students from UKZN bringing an operatic element to
the sound of jazz. The music performed by this ensemble consists of original
compositions by Professor Washington.
Join the Sankofa Band on August 3 at 18h00 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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