Argentinean-born, Johannesburg-based duo Ariel & Juana are touring Durban and the South Coast in February, in association with Concerts SA.
Comprised by renowned double-bassist Ariel Zamonsky and vocalist Juana Pires Rafael, this acoustic duet generates a sense of intimacy with the listener through the exploration of the vast possibilities of dynamic and emotional range.
The third leg of Ariel & Juana’s national tour includes performances in Durban and Port Shepstone. In the former, Ariel & Juana will perform at multiple venues: the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, The Rainbow Restaurant, Curiocity, The Jazzy Rainbow, and the Alliance Française.
In Port Shepstone they will be onstage at Spot Backpackers, Mantis & Moon, and at Esayidi TVET College. Here they will also impart a workshop to the students of the music department, headed by master pianist Andile Yenana, who will join them also for this performance and the one at The Rainbow Restaurant.
Ariel & Juana’s sound is shaped by their South American heritage, their South African experience and their travels. They will perform a soulful repertoire that includes music from Ariel’s album, and unreleased new work.
Their creative journeys and studies exploring the musical connection between Africa and South America inspired their own compositions, which culminated in an album. Released in February 2018, Between Two Worlds / Entre Dos Mundos is the debut offering of double bassist Ariel Zamonsky, featuring Juana Pires Rafael on vocals, Yonela Mnana on piano, and Tumi Mogorosi and Siphiwe Shiburi on drums.
Ariel says: “‘Between Two Worlds’ relates the story of someone who is looking for his own identity while submerged into a foreign culture. I came to South Africa in 2005 being only 17. Since then I have performed with many local artists and have found a place within the Jazz community. From Argentina in South America to Johannesburg in South Africa, this is our musical journey. The sounds we hear and the ones we imagine.”
Over the past few years Ariel & Juana have been actively engaging different audiences and promise to bring a fresh, vibrant performance that contemplates the different aspects of daily life and touches on a wide range of emotions. This double bass and vocals duet has appeared on many stages across South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini, Tanzania and Argentina.
Each performance is different, as improvisation is one of the main ingredients and the expression varies from deep- sometimes even visceral- to celestial, crystal-clear sounds. The repertoire presented navigates through traditional South American folklore, the North American song book (jazz standards) and original compositions.
Juana Pires Rafael says: “This time we will be presenting some new compositions, as well as some music from Ariel’s album and some good old tunes as well. We kick-started in Cape Town in November, we headed to KwaZulu-Natal for a couple of festivals in December. And now, back to eThekwini and the South Coast. We are so excited to be on the road again!”
Ariel & Juana Tour is supported by Concerts SA through the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music.
Artist Links
Website / Facebook / Instagram / Soundcloud / Bandcamp
Hastags: #Ariel&Juana #ConcertsSA #MobilityFund
Events Listing
Durban – Alliance Française
Friday 22 February – 6.30pm – R80
Address: 22 Sutton Cres, Morningside, Berea, Durban
Bookings: 031 312 9582 / afdbn@global.co.za
Port Shepstone – Mantis & Moon
Saturday 23 February – 7pm – Price TBC
Address: 178 Station Rd, Umzumbe, Port Shepstone
Bookings: 039 684 6256 / info@mantisandmoon.net
Port Shepstone – The Spot Backpackers
Sunday 24 February – 4pm – No cover charge
Address: 53 Ambleside Rd, Umtentweni, Port Shepstone
Bookings: 039 695 1318 / spotbackpackers@netactive.co.za
Port Shepstone – Esayidi TVET College – Gamalakhe Campus
Monday 25 February – 10am – No cover charge (students & media only)
Address: Nositha, Gamalakhe A, Port Shepstone
Bookings: 039 685 5482 / info@esayidifet.co.za
Durban – UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
Wednesday 27 February – 6pm – R80 (regular) / R50 (pensioner) / R25 (student)
Address: Howard College, Shepton Building Level 2
Bookings: 031 260 3385 / zamat1@ukzn.ac.za
Durban – Curiocity
Thursday 28 February – 6pm – No cover charge
Address: 55 Monty Naicker Rd, South Beach, Durban
Bookings: 031 286 0025 / stay@curiocitydurban.com
Durban – The Jazzy Rainbow
Friday 1 March – 8.30pm – R60
Address: 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside, Durban
Bookings: 031 303 8398 / jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za Durban – The Rainbow Restaurant
Saturday 2 March – 4pm – No cover charge
Address: 23 Stanfield Ln, New Germany, Pinetown, Durban
Bookings: 031 702 9161 / info@therainbow.co.za
Argentinean Duet: Ariel & Juana Durban & South Coast Tour
