Friday, July 10, 2020

“MZUKULU” MBATHA FOR MUSIC UNLOCKED SESSIONS

(Talent "Mzukulu" Mbatha)

Centre for Jazz and Popular Music and iSupport Creative Business proudly present the Music Unlocked Sessions. The latest edition is taking place on July 15 and will feature horn trio Temb-Horns, saxophonist Simone Van Niekerk, and bassist Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha. All three artists will present the audience with a 20-minute set each.

Temb-Horns

Temb-Horns is an ensemble from Thembisa that consists of three horns: Kgethi Nkotsi is on Trombone, Michael Nkuna on Trumpet and Simone Manana on Alto Saxophone.

Nkotsi is a 24-year-old trombone player from Tembisa, Johannesburg. He is currently studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He started playing in 2013 at the age of 16 at Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation (MTMAF). Along the years, he has played with the likes of Salim Washington, Andile Yenana, Khaya Mahlangu and Neil Gonsalves, to name a few.

Nkuna is the youngest member of the horn section at the age of 20. He started his career as a self-taught musician after which he earned a Trumpet section slot at UNISA Wind Band. He is currently studying music at the Tshwane University of Technology.

Manana is a 21-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Tembisa. He started playing professional gigs while in high school. One of the notable names that he worked with while in high school was Lindi Ngonelo, Mandla Mlangeni, Johnny Mekoa and Khaya Mahlangu, to name a few.

Simone Van Niekerk

For van Niekerk, music is the heartbeat of her home. Her father had introduced her and her sisters into the art of music from a young age. Her musical journey began with the piano, but it was the bass guitar and drums that instinctively drew her. In 2010, she had the opportunity of hearing saxophonist, Curtis Kettledas performing live. It was then when she found the instrument that accessed the many facets of her musical world. She attended a few lessons in 2014 to prepare her for her music audition at UKZN, and in 2015 her formal education at UKZN began. She completed her studies in 2018 and continues to further her education through the many musical mentors she encounters. As part of her final exams, van Niekerk hosted her first official show titled Simply Complexed in 2019. She managed to pull a crowd of over 650 people. She has played for several events during 2020, and one that stood out the most was playing for the Nathan Julius Concert at the Hilton College Theatre in February.

Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha

Born in Durban, but groomed in Nongoma, Talent “Mzukulu” Mbatha is a versatile bassist, arranger, composer, producer, studio engineer and music educator. He derives his music style from a diverse range of influences, including Maskandi, Mbhaqanga, jazz, pop, contemporary rock, soul and fusion. As a youngster from Northern KwaZulu-Natal, he grew up listening to people like Mfaz’omnyama, Hhash’elimhlophe, Phuzekhemisi, Mfiliseni Magubane and Soul brothers, which influenced his signature style of always adding a South African flavour to the music even when playing American tunes. Talent began learning to play the bass guitar at the age of 11. He assembled his first jazz ensemble in 2008 and has graced big stages such as the Hazelmere Jazz Festival, Ugu Jazz Festival, Moratele Park and several international stages backing other artists.

 

Submissions

Musicians can submit a video that is created especially for the concert, which is likely to be a solo performance or minimal 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 archive.

Tickets

Tickets R50 or more on donation

Music Unlocked Sessions

https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=1502020640

You will receive your link before 18h00 and can watch at a convenient time