The Prep Room, Glenwood Prep School: 28 – 29 July
Rhumberlow Theatre – Tina’s Hotel, Kloof: 5 – 6 August
Islander Room, Point Yacht Club: 26 – 27 August
A series of extraordinary vintage New Orleans-inspired evenings are on the cards, as lovers of jazz and authentic cuisine are invited to A Night Down in New Orleans at Egyptian Ellas – a fun and novel event laced with live upbeat jazz, the hippest emcee in town and a wonderful dining experience which has three versions in and around Durban from month-end July to month-end August.
The first showing of this quirky tale opens up at The Prep Room at Glenwood Prep School for two evenings only on 28 and 29 July. It then moves to the Rhumbelow Theatre at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof on 5 and 6 August, with the final show in Durban planned for the Islander Room at the Point Yacht Club on 26 and 27 August.
Performed by the fabulous Jazz Minkeys, A Night Down in New Orleans at Egyptian Ellas is a tale of “Ella”, an almost-exotic dancing-girl living the high life in the speakeasies and sporting houses of New Orleans.
Join us as we follow her musically in a journey of self-discovery which takes her across the ocean to the banks of the River Nile and then on to the place where she rightly belongs.
Expect a great story, told by one of Durban most well-loved emcees and spoken word heroes, Iain Ewok Robinson. Joining the festivities at the Prep Room, Ryan Renaude, celebrated DJ, will be spinning some 1920 tunes with a big gramophone horn. Durban Song Bird and FABuDIVA Chloe Clark will be stepping in for Robinson for the Point Yacht Club event. The narrative will be woven with great sounds by an eight-piece top-notch jazz orchestra comprising some of Durban finest musicians: The Jazz Minkeys.
The Jazz Minkeys is Durban’s fun-filled post-modern jazz orchestra, recreating the vibrant exuberance and stylistic nuances of the early popular jazz ensembles like Kenny Ball, Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima. The group play a wide variety of commercially-appealing jazz and popular music ranging from early jazz classics to more modern day hits and some original tunes.
Daniel Sheldon features on trumpet and flugel horn. Sheldon is the band leader and has been a familiar face on the Durban jazz scene for 15 years. Sharing the role of band leader, Tom Hare joins him on sax, flute and trumpet. Hare has a colourful CV with experience from around the world as both a jazz player and a composer and arranger. Internationally acclaimed pianist and music lecturer, Neil Gonsalves, joins the team on piano. Durban’s own Demi Fernandez plays jazz and flamenco guitar. Sensational jazz vocalist and guitarist, Zoe Masuku, together with Nosihle Zulu, a celebrated singer and Idols 2016 Top 8 Finalist, share the vocals. The much loved and ever versatile Brandon Hore dazzles the crowd with his sensuous double bass sound.
Finally rising sun in the percussion world, Riley Giandhari, the drumming prodigy son of Durban drum legend Pravin Giandhari, holds down the beat with some fiery drumming chops
Each venue will create their own special themed menu of New Orleans inspired cuisine – each adding their own interpretation and nuances. The Prep Room will kick start Ella’s tour with a cooking demo as part of the evening’s entertainment.
Mad Savant Judd Campbell has designed a menu that follows the musical journey from the gastronomical exuberance of New Orleans across the Atlantic to the banks of the Nile and back with a cultural fusion dessert.
More info and bookings are through the individual venues or like the Jazz Minkey’s Facebook page.
The Prep Room
Glenwood Prep School
Dates: 28 – 29 July
Doors open: 18h30
To book: 083 794 5875
Rhumberlow Theatre @ Tina’s Hotel, Kloof
Dates: 5 – 6 August
Doors open:
To book: 031 764 7843
info@tinashotel.co.za
Islander Room, Point Yacht Club
Dates: 26 – 27 August
Doors open: 18h30
To book: 031 301 4787
