(Legon
Palmwine band)
Ahead of Africa Day, Centre for Jazz and
Popular Music and iSupport Creative Business in proud association with Casio
are presenting three African nationalities as part of their 7th online concert
taking place on Wednesday May 20, 2020, at 18h00.
This week’s edition will feature Legon
Palmwine Band from Ghana, Frank Paco from Mozambique and the Durban-based
Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble. All three artists will present the audience with a
20-minute set.
The
Legon Palmwine Band
The Legon Palmwine Band is a young and
exciting exponent of the palmwine music tradition and their appearance on the
local music scene in Ghana seems to have revitalised a music tradition that was
on the brink of fading.
The band consists of a dynamic and
versatile group of young men whose love for music and their cultural heritage
has led them to carry on the works of pioneers of palmwine music such as the
legendary Koo Nimo. The Legon Palmwine Band brings a contemporary
interpretation to a music tradition that is characterized by intricate rhythmic
fingerpicking which is fused with indigenous Akan anansesem storytelling style,
and laced with local Akan vocal harmonies.
The band is well established on the live
scene of Accra and has featured on CNN’s Inside Africa, as well as participated
in the 10th African Cultural Calabash festival in Durban. Currently preparing
to launch their maiden project, titled Legon
Abrabɔ (university life), their first single ɔtonkorowa has captured many audiences both local and
internationally. The members of the band are Samuel Agyeman Boahen
(guitar/vocals), Edwin Akwei Brown (kpanlogo drums [percussion]), Seth Kpodo
(vocals/frikyiwa [castanet]), Albert Owusu Brown (vocals/shakers/premprensiwa),
and Eric Sunu Doe (guitar/premprensiwa/vocals).
Umkhumbane
Jazz Ensemble
Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble is a musical
outfit from Durban, formed out of musical influences of ‘Umkhumbane
Settlement’, currently known as Cato Manor, on the western part of Durban.
Senior members of the band learned their trade in Umkhumbane and plied their
trades in Durban YMCA and ‘eMathilamini’ (Trams Durban Bus Depot), which were
the only musical venues available to them during the fifties.
The band is set up on marabi music style
with strong big band influence. Their repertoire is dominated by music of the
late 50’s mixed with big band selection and UJE members’ compositions. UJE has
decided rescue this music style before it gets lost. UJE fans also enjoy
original compositions by various musicians of UJE. The music style of UJE also
bring you back to the vibes of Sofia Town and District Six.
The band participated in a major Jazz Stage
of ESSENCE Durban Festival 2016 at The Playhouse Opera Theatre. UJE was part of
the Dim-Dep World Environment Celebration Programme 2016 (Playhouse Opera
Theatre). They regularly featured at the annual Hazelmere Dam Jazz Festivals,
Ugu Jazz Festivals, Umlazi Jazz Festivals, Durban July Handicap. UJE’s special
achievement is the release of their Debut Album Ezintabeni, which got nominated for SATMA Awards 2017. The Album
was officially launched in Rainbow Restaurant and Jazz Club.
Frank
Paco
Well-loved Mozambican Drummer Frank Paco
has worked as a session musician and is featured on more than 60 albums, ten of
which were award winning. In 1998, Frank was awarded an Honours Degree with
distinction in Jazz performance.
In addition to performing live, Paco enjoys
teaching and conducting workshops around schools in South Africa.
Tickets
To watch the concert there is a minimum
charge of R40 and tickets are available on Webtickets. The full contribution of
the audience will go straight to the artists in an effort to support and
sustain South Africa’s beloved musicians through this testing time. Get your
ticket on www.webtickets.co.za where you can also get a monthly concert pass
and donate. Link will be sent at 18h00, audience can watch at their convenience
Submissions
Musicians can submit a video that is created
especially for the concert, which is likely to be a solo performance or very
small ensemble in this period of social distance. You can also submit
previously recorded videos that are not widely available on the internet, and
are part of your personal archive.
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