JOKES AND JAZZ

(Mo Vawda)

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music will present the third outtake of Jokes and Jazz on August 22. Hosted by Mo Vawda with headliners Troy Tesla and Thulile Zama, it will feature Kamz Govender, Bob Perfect, Kwanda Radebe

The host will be Mo Vawda. Considered one of the best of the new generation of Durban comedians, Vawda burst onto the comedy scene a couple years ago with his stand-out performances, clean-cut material and spot-on accents. Whether sharing hilarious stories about being a doctor (in Statistics!), married life, living in South Africa, or travelling abroad, this proudly South African and Muslim man is fast becoming a household name.

Kamz Govender is a rising Durban comedy star. In just a few months he has gone from open mic gigs to headlining shows. His cool calm deadpan style sets him apart in the comedy industry. With no swearing or vulgarity, Govender is well-suited for all audiences and has shared stages with some of the best in the business including John Vlismas, Loyiso Gola and Carvin H Goldstone. He was also the opening act for Dillan Oliphant's one man comedy show, The Oliphant in the Room and regularly opened for Carvin H Goldstone on his one man comedy tour.

Bob Perfect – Fresh of his first solo show, this nerdy fresh Prince of Umbilo is set to bring tales of an atheist, stoner, getting up to all kinds of mischief and mayhem- whilst pissing on everything you love. You're into watersports, right?

Kwanda Radebe – Within a space of three years Kwanda Radebe has quickly become Durban’s favourite young comedian leading new generation and he was listed by The Sunday Times as one of the top 7 young South Africans set to take over the world. He broke into the Durban comedy scene after winning the Durban Young Guns Comedy Showdown and Next Comedy Generation competitions in 2015 and 2017 respectively. He has also made appearances on DSTV channel VUZU amp and Mzansi Magic. He has worked with comedy heavyweights such as Loyiso Gola, Carvin H Goldstone and Simphiwe Shembe.

Troy Tesla (Zimbabwe) – Returning from his Cape Town tour and several television appearances; Tesla raises the stakes with original material based on his experiences as a world-travelling African male. He will tackle some touchy controversial topics as he films his trial one man show: African.

Tesla is your go-to-guy if you like comedy that makes sense and up-to-date.

Versatile vocalist Thulile Zama performs a wide repertoire that ranges from jazz to covers, to afro. She is well-known in the jazz circuit and a well-loved vocalist in Durban. You cannot miss her charm and charisma.

For this concert, her backing band will be pianist David Smith. Besides being known as the lead vocalist of successful all-female contemporary jazz band Heels Over Head, Zama she also heads the Makeba Tribute Band that performs tribute concerts to Mama Africa throughout the country. She holds a BA (Music) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and her talents have taken her to all around the country, as well as to Swaziland, USA and Germany. She has performed for Bona Magazine, Weekend Live (SABC 2), SAB, Top Billing (SABC 3), HIVAN, Camel, Glenfiddich and countless events companies and institutions. She has MC’d for various functions in Durban and Johannesburg and was a nominee (Arts, Culture and Heritage) in the 2013 Feather awards.

Jokes and Jazz takes place on August 22 at 18h00 (doors open at 17h30) at the UKZN Centre for Jazz. SA’s premier comedy and jazz mashup series, the 90min show is back by popular demand LIVE at Show is to be filmed direct-to-DVD. Show up and you might end up on tv!!

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music has been in operation since 1989 and has developed into a vibrant, international resource, performance and workshop venue. The venue is home to jazz concerts every Wednesday and occasional Tuesdays. For more information contact Troy Tesla on troytesla72@gmail.com.