(Right: Patrick Bebelaar)
The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music welcomes back German pianist Patrick Bebelaar joined by three local pianists, Mandeni born Sibonelo Nxumalo, Samkelo Njinji from Umlazi, and Port Shepstone’s Nhlakanipho Zulu. The concert is titled Patrick and the Pianists and takes place on March 22, 2023.
Patrick Bebelaar is one of Germany's most renowned pianists. In 2000, he was awarded the Baden-Württemberg Jazz Prize and has composed for the International Bach Academy in 2002, 2005 and 2008, the German Literature Archive and many others. His CDs have received international awards (including the German Record Critics' Prize, the 'Critics ‘Prize` of the New York City Jazz Record Magazine: "Album of the year"). He has worked for many years with international colleagues such as Michel Godard, Joe Fonda, Gavino Murgia, Mike Rossi, Akardy Shilkloper, Johannes Enders, Carol Rizzo, Wolfgang Puschnik, Herbert Joos, Pandit Prakash and Pandit Vikash Mahraj and with the well-known German composers Uli Süße and Juergen Brauninger.
Sibonelo Nxumalo holds a BA Music degree. He has worked with international artists such as Howard Hewitt, and Alexander O’Neil and has opened for the Manhattans. Nxumalo continues to work with local acts Xolisa Dlamini, Zawadi Yamungu, and Thinah Zungu.
Samukelo Magwaza, famously known as Samkelo Njinji, is a South African jazz pianist, artist, composer, arranger, songwriter and lecturer based in KwaZulu-Natal, city of Durban in the township of Umlazi. In 2017, Samkelo Njinji began composing his own music which is largely inspired by Bheki Mseleku, Oscar Peterson, Nduduzo Makhatini and Thandi Ntuli. He has conceptualised the theme of his music as Njinji Street, which is the lane of healing and love.
Nhlakanipho Zulu is a Durban-based professional jazz pianist. He has performed at the South African Crown Gospel Awards and is currently the pianist for Mondli Ngcobo, a recording artist and producer. His most recent projects include working with and playing second keys for the legendary Themba Mkhize at the BAT Centre. Zulu was born in Port Shepstone, Gamalakhe, on the South Coast. He has also performed for well-known South African Gospel artists such as Nqubeko Mbatha, Ayanda Ntanzi, Ndu Shezi, among others.
Patrick and the Pianists takes place at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on March 22, 2023, at 17h30. Doors open at 17h00.
Tickets R100 (R70 pensioners and R40 students) at the door.
The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music is situated at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, level 2.