In association with Concerts SA, iSupport Music Business presents three KwaZulu-Natal concerts by vocalist Vanessa Moodley. Moodley and her band will visit Market Restaurant in Durban, Luthuli Museum in Groutville and Seaman’s Corner in Hammarsdale.
Now based in Canada, Vanessa Moodley is a graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Performance, Composition and Arranging. Born and raised in a multicultural hub, the city of Durban, her music is a smooth blend of jazz and soul, with a strong awareness of her South African heritage. Her band line-up will consist of Sebastian Gilchrist on bass guitar, Alwyn John Singh on drums, Neil Gonsalves and Mark Royeppen on keyboards and Sebastian Goldswain on guitar.
Moodley is using this tour to present South Africa with her new EP titled “Loved”. After a series of single releases over the past few years, this EP features a collection of five songs written soon after her move from Durban to Vancouver, Canada, in early 2014. It explores her reflection on the connection between time and love; “Contrary to values or expectations of immediacy, these songs reveal to me that love instead values time passed,”…“After two years abroad, I am so excited to be able to share the achievement of my first original music EP with my home town, to be able to start my first tour where it all began means a lot to me” says Moodley.
Written and produced by Moodley herself, the music is inspired by contemporary jazz female icons Esperanza Spalding and Gretchen Parlato. Musically her influences range from artists that cemented her love for music during her childhood like that of Cliff Richard, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey to her jazz education that began with the iconic sounds of artists like Wayne Shorter, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald and Kurt Elling. Staying true to the sound within her, the EP showcases a unique blend of stylistic nuances based on this varied listening palette, the kind that many people share today. Recorded across two cities- Durban and Vancouver- the EP features two groups of outstanding musicians from each city.
Soon after graduation Moodley was named winner of the Jazz category and a finalist in the World Music category in the 2009 U.S.A Songwriting Competition for her compositions Your Eyes and Liyana (It’s Raining).
“It was an honour to receive the recognition and to know that my expression of life has a place in the world” she says.
She was featured as a young top achiever on South Africa’s leading lifestyle show Top Billing (S20/E53- aired 25 November 2010) in celebration of 150 years of Indian culture in South Africa and participated as a regional judge for the televised Mzanzi Magic Young Star Competition 2010-2012.
More than entertainment, Moodley believes that music is an essential part of community, of sharing, of learning about oneself, of self-actualisation, of change. With 10 years of performance experience under her belt, Moodley has entertained audiences in South Africa, Sweden, Canada and the U.S. Sharing the stage with musicians and audiences from around the world has taught her to value the universal language of music. She endeavors to use it as her contribution to our global community.
The performances at Luthuli Museum and Seaman’s Corner are part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to grow 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.
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.
For more information please visit our website http://concertssa.co.za, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA.
Events Listing
Market Restaurant – Durban
Thursday 1 December – 6pm – R80
Address: 40 Marriot Road, Morningside, Durban
Bookings: 031 309 8581 or info@marketrestaurant.co.za
Groutville – Luthuli Museum
Friday 2 December – 6pm – R30 at the door
Address: 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, Groutville
Hammarsdale – Seaman’s Corner
Saturday 3 December – 6pm – R30 at the door
Address: C568 Dimba Road, Unit 3, Hammarsdale
