Saturday 25th August
Durban’s jazz lounge, The Jazzy Rainbow, in association with Concerts SA, launched its first straight jazz programme on the eve of Heritage Day in September 2016 and continues to follow up with the same concept. “#JazzyStraightAhead is about introducing regular, live, straight jazz concerts to our city in order to help keep the music alive,” says Oliver-Rene Haas.
This performance by Simthandile Mtolo at The Jazzy Rainbow is part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to foster a love and support for live music in our communities, as well as anchor small and medium sized venues in urban and rural Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
Simthandile holds over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry as a professional performer and live entertainer. She began her career in her 11th grade at Kingsway High School, where she landed her first role in the musical Oliver, directed by the late Themi Venturas and staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in 2004. Simtha continued the following year with Fiddler on the Roof, and continued onto greater stages as she grew into a young adult. She made it “her thing” to land great support and leading roles in productions such as My Fair Lady (2009 – The Playhouse Company), Man Of La Mancha (2010- Grahmstown Arts Festival Main Stage), and more recently Mashu The Musical (2015 – The Playhouse Company).
Simtha studied at UKZN’s school of music between 2006 and 2007 but discontinued her studies to pursue a more “practical career”, which she felt would allow her to include all her interests without limitation- simultaneously creating new opportunities that could aid in molding the local creative industry, taking it from where it was to a pinnacle that she still works towards.
Throughout the years, Simtha performed as a musician on small, corporate and festival stages. She was a part of The Fifa Fan Parks, has done The Durban Business Fair Gala Dinner, The Hazelmere Dam Jazz Festival, Nivea, 31 Club and Transnet events, as well as a multitude of private events. In 2015 Simtha was awarded the 1st prize for East Coast Radio’s Be The Band Competition where she won a R50 000 music hamper and the chance to perfom at The BP Durban Day, where she shared a stage with Prime Circle, Thandiswa Mazwai and Mafikizolo and others. Simthandile believes in creating something great from nothing and often invites other artists to bask in the possibilities of the local industry with her through song, dialogue, and partnership. On the night she will be performing songs from her upcoming jazz album produced by Mpumi Dhlamini.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the SAMRO Foundation. Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools. Follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ConcertsSA
Events Listing
Saturday 25 August
The Jazzy Rainbow
93 Smiso Nkwanyana (ex-Goble) Road
7pm entrance- R80, tickets at the door including a free drink
Bookings: phone 031 303 8398 or email jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
