(Qadasi
& Maqhinga)
The Centre for Jazz and popular music will
present the first Twosday gig with Qadasi & Maqhinga on February 26, 2019.
Hailing from Empangeni in the heart of
Zululand, Qadasi and Maqhinga are an acoustic duo on a quest to revive the
powerful sounds of traditional Maskandi music. Both professional musicians in
their own right and sharing the same vision, joining forces has resulted in an
international calibre of music which represents the heart and soul of South
African roots music.
David Jenkins, also known as Qadasi, is an
accomplished Maskandi guitarist, concertina and banjo player who developed a
deep passion for Zulu culture and music at a young age. This interest grew
exponentially over the years, and as a result, his love for traditional music
was born.
After matriculating in 2010, Qadasi
released his first studio album under record label, Sande Entertainment headed
by Sibongiseni Shabalala of four-time Grammy Award winning group, Ladysmith
Black Mambazo. His second album, released in 2014, has since been nominated for
a SAMA (South African Music Award) and SATMA (South African Traditional Music
Award). Qadasi was also recently honoured to receive a KwaZulu-Natal Young
Achievers Award for ‘social cohesion through Maskandi.’
Maqhinga Radebe began his career as a
Maskandi musician in the mid 80’s and has received numerous awards for his
amazing musical skills, which also include SAMA and SATMA Award nominations.
Well-travelled, he has performed to
audiences in several countries, including Zimbabwe, England and the USA and
throughout Southern Africa, sharing stages with top artists such as Hugh
Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Phuzekhemisi and Soul Brothers, to name a
few.
He is presently most well-known for his key
role as the guitarist in popular Maskandi group, Shabalala Rhythm.
Jenkins first met Maqhinga in Durban in
early 2010 when enquiring about a concertina tuner. After a ‘jam session’, thus
began their story and the two have become firm friends, with Maqhinga taking
the role of music director and producer of Jenkins’ first solo projects. The
talented musicians later decided to join forces after realizing the musical
potential that was possible by combining their artistry.
Over the past several years, the two of
them have travelled home and abroad with their eclectic fusion, taking it to
audiences in the UK, Europe, Asia, and throughout South Africa, and are
thrilled to have released their long awaited collaborative album titled, Lashis’ Ilanga – an organic, acoustic
fusion of traditional Maskandi and western folk music. This was nominated for a
2017 SAMA Award for Best Traditional Album.
Aside from promoting Zulu culture,
traditional music and social cohesion, the duo have also been actively involved
in rhino conservation, working alongside the Kingsley Holgate foundation and
Project Rhino KZN as rhino ambassadors.
Join the dynamic duo of Qadasi &
Maqhinga on February 26, 2019, at 18h00 (doors open at 17h30) at The Centre for
Jazz and Popular music (CJPM), Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard
College Campus.
General admission R80 (R50 pensioners, R25 students).
Contact Thuli on 031 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za for more details.
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