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