Argentinean-born, Johannesburg-based duo Ariel & Juana, consisting of double bass and vocals, is touring KwaZulu-Natal, 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 second leg of Ariel & Juana’s national tour includes performances at Smoking Dragon Festival in Bergville, and Folk & Griot Festival in Utrecht. For these two shows, the duo will be joined by talented Yogin Sullaphen on guitar.
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 in 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.”
Through 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’ll 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, and we head now to KwaZulu-Natal. 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: www.arieljuana.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/juana.pires.rafael.and.ariel.zamonsky
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ariel.juana
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/argentinian-jazz-folk
Bandcamp: www.arielz.bandcamp.com
Hastags: #Ariel&Juana #ConcertsSA #MobilityFund
Events Listing
Utrecht – Folk & Griot Festival @ Kwantu Village
Friday 28 December – 8pm – R50 (standard) / R150 (vip)
Address: 46 Voor Street, Utrecht, KwaZulu-Natal
Bookings: 01 182 0613 / info@kwantuvillage.co.za
Bergville – Smoking Dragon Festival
Saturday 29 December – 2pm – R855 (general festival pass) / R1700 (vip festival pass)
Address: Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge, R74, 3354 Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal
Bookings: 0825512495 / ilsa@smokingdragon.co.za
Argentinean Duo Ariel & Juana 2018 KZN December Tour
