national Arts Festival Banner

Monday, May 20, 2024

LAUNCH OF “NICK PITMAN’S JUICEBOX”

 

(Left: Nick Pitman)

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music will present the official album launch of “Nick Pitman’s Juicebox” on Wednesday May 22, 2024, at 17h30.

Nick Pitman is a guitarist, producer, and music educator based in Durban, South Africa. He has carved a dynamic path over the last decade within the city's vibrant music scene. 

Renowned for his ability to traverse diverse genres and push the boundaries of musical conventions, Pitman has earned recognition from both local artists and the wider South African music community.

 

Having garnered accolades, Pitman was selected for the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band in 2016 and 2017 while he was still a UKZN music student. His musical journey took him to Cape Town, showcasing original compositions with guest artists, and onto the stage at the Oslo Jazz Festival in Norway in 2016. In 2022, he was one of the acts which performed for the renowned South African Jazz Venue, The Rainbow's, Summer Series of concerts, celebrating the club's 41st birthday.

On the line-up were the likes of Sibusiso Mashiloane, Bheki Khoza and Melvin Peters. Apart from performing his own music, he is and has been a band member for prominent figures like Brian Thusi, Sibusiso Mashiloane, Andile Yenana, McCoy Mrubata, and Lu Dlamini.

For the creation of his debut album, Nick Pitman's Juice Box, he teamed up with some of Durban's finest musicians. The album is a meticulously-crafted fusion of original compositions spanning the last five years and selections from his university days. The recorded album is a culmination of a Crowd-Funding campaign which Pitman began in August 2023. The fund was highly successful and reached the goal set out. Along with this campaign, Pitman was also awarded the SAMRO Music Creation Support Fund in 2023. These funds have been immensely helpful in allowing Pitman the opportunity to hire a great studio, musicians and visual artists to realise his vision.

The album comprises 10 songs, 9 of which are original compositions and the last being his own version of Kwa-Zulu Natal guitarist, Sandile Shange's tune, iZolo. The band includes the line up from the evening as well as, Martin Sigamoney on alto-saxophone. It was recorded at Headroom Studios in Durban by engineer Marius Botha. The album promises to be a compelling showcase of Pitman's artistic evolution and his commitment to pushing musical boundaries

Nick Pitman (guitar), will be joined by Ntokozo Nibande (trumpet), Siyalo Zulu (trombone), Bruce Baker (drums), Burton Naidoo (keys) and Braydon Hore (bass).

CDs and USBs will be on sale at the door. The music will also be available for digital download

The concert takes place at the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on Wednesday 22, 2024. Doors open at 17h00, Music starts at 17h30

Tickets R110 (R80 pensioners, R50 students)

Online Tickets available on webtickets:

https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1546956619

The Centre is at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2.