(Abraham
Mennen)
In association with Concerts SA, SA-born /
US-based saxophonist Abraham Mennen presents The Really Revered Whole Story Tour.
With live music performances happening
across South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland, The Really Revered Whole Story Tour promotes the second studio
album by saxophonist Abraham Mennen featuring all-original compositions.
Mennen says “The Really Revered Whole Story is about pursuing the fullest
understanding of something. We are fed lies every day from outside and within
ourselves. It is important to know and understand and see from every depth and
angle. I try to pursue this with my music/compositions and every performance.”
The compositions and style of Mennen’s
sophomore album draws from several rich musical traditions; South African jazz
and traditional music, American jazz traditions, free jazz and experimental
sounds and textures.
Mennen’s music often employs complex
rhythmical schemes and illusions, rich harmonies as well as innovative group
improvisation scenarios, all anchored by a strong rhythmical groove and drive
throughout the music.
“Each song from the album was composed with
a certain role in mind. Some songs get you moving, some evoke the feelings of a
space held dear and some just chill out. The songs are vehicles and we like to
fly with them. Each performance is different – we can take whichever direction
feels right in the moment and we like exploring new ones. It is important to
let the music be free to do its thing rather than keep a leash on it. So the
energy the audience brings is very important as that’s our fuel.”
Leading on the saxophones, Abraham Mennen’s
touring quartet includes the same young jazz luminaries that perform on the
studio album: Reza Khota on guitar, Ariel Zamonsky on double bass and Claude
Cozens on drums (with Siphiwe Shiburi on selected dates). The tour artwork
replicates the cover of the album, designed by Grant Jurius.
“With so many variables to how we tell the
story, the musicians’ line-up is everything. We need to trust each other, know
each other and of course really enjoy what the other musicians bring to the
game. I love bringing pure fire to this music with these master storytellers.”
Mennen performs regularly in New York and
throughout South Africa. He has recorded three albums under his own name, with
the latest two albums released in December 2018, namely The Really Revered Whole Story, and Three Improvisations.
Abraham Mennen’s The Really Revered Whole Story Tour is supported by Concerts SA
through the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism which offers opportunities
for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
The Durban performance takes place on April
13, 2019, at 16h00 at the Rainbow Restaurant. There is no cover charge. The
Rainbow Restaurant is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. Contact 031 702
9161 or info@therainbow.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za
For more information on Abraham Mennen, visit
www.abrahammennen.com
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