STRINGS OF LEGACY

 

(Right: Demi Fernandez)

 

UKZN Guitar Alumni honour guitar maestro Demi Fernandez on Friday May 30, 2025, at 18h00

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will present a line-up of UKZN guitar alumni, who gather to honour their mentor, the inimitable flamenco guitarist and educator, Demi Fernandez.

Demi Fernandez, born in Brazil to Spanish parents, has long been a bridge between worlds, between cultures, between tradition and innovation. 

Having performed extensively in the flamenco tablaos of Spain, Demi brought with him not just skill, but soul. 

Fernandez is the long-standing guitarist for the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company, lecturer and senior music staff at UKZN. 

As Neil Gonsalves, Head of the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music,  puts it: “he has shaped the musical DNA of countless students through his teachings in jazz guitar, arranging, harmony, and ensemble work. It is these students, now seasoned artists in their own right, who are returning to the stage, not just to perform, but to pay tribute, as Fernandez announced his retirement.”

 

 

 Nick Pitman, known for his genre-defying compositions and his recent album Juicebox, is fresh off a whirlwind tour with musical theatre giants and jazz icons alike. His work blends jazz, funk, rock, and Afrobeat into a sonic kaleidoscope that somehow still feels grounded in the streets of Durban.

 

Solomon Willy, born in Nigeria and raised musically under Fernandez’s tutelage, brings a lush blend of Afro-beat, jazz, and African soul to his performances. His music has crossed oceans, from Australia to Durban’s biggest festivals.

 

Joshua Swanson’s journey began at UKZN too. Now an educator and full-time performer with the acclaimed band The Kickstands, Swanson’s jazz stylings and educational commitment echo Fernandez’s own legacy of teaching through doing.

From Mozambique, Milton Chissano adds his unique musical heritage. With a foundation in classical guitar and a career that has spanned Afro-Cuban grooves, Bollywood motifs, and African folk songs, Chissano’s artistry is both broad and deeply rooted. His performances, including his current residency at King Shaka International Airport, speak of migration, memory, and homecoming.

Also taking the stage is Seb Goldswain, known for his electrifying fingerstyle technique and genre-blending compositions that fuse blues, rock, and jazz.

“Together, this line-up presents some of the important torchbearers, each carrying a piece of Demi Fernandez’s enduring impact.” says Gonsalves.

 

Event details

Friday May 30, 2025

Centre for Jazz & Popular Music at University of KwaZulu-Natal

Doors open 18h00, music at 18h30.

Tickets R120 (R90 pensioners, R60 students)

The event is supported by the KZN Performing Arts Trust