Friday 14 June
The Jazzy Rainbow, part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which fosters love and support for live music in our communities, presents vocalist and pianist Debbie Mari at The Jazzy Rainbow on Friday 14 June.
Debbie Mari is a lecturer in the Jazz Studies programme at the University of KwaZulu-Nata, School of Arts (Music), is the project manager of the UKUSA Arts Programme and a board member of KUMISA (KwaZulu-Natal United Music Industry Association).
Debbie has enjoyed many musical collaborations as a performer who enjoys singing jazz standards and original compositions, such as those she recorded with Darius Brubeck (Before It’s Too Late), George Mari (Since I Met You) and Richard Walne (The Only One Around)- and more recently Piano Passion (2018) – a live piano concert recording at Howard College Theatre with Darius Brubeck, Melvin Peters, Andile Yenana, Burton Naidoo, Nishlyn Ramanna and Neil Gonsalves. Notable performances include the Grahamstown Arts Festival, the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and the Lusaka Arts Festival (2019). She performs often with Durban-based musicians George Mari, Burton Naidoo, Melvin Peters, Neil Gonsalves, Ildo Nandja and Philani Ngidi, to name a few.
She has vast teaching experience as a music specialist teaching in primary schools and higher education, and developing and managing community music project. In 2013, Debbie and George Mari established Marigold Music School as an opportunity to share their knowledge and skills as professional musicians and experienced educators with children and adults of all abilities in the greater Durban area. Debbie frequently adjudicates singing eisteddfods and music competitions. She has presented Vocal Jazz workshops for the South African Music Teachers’ Society, UNISA International Jazz School (2012) Festival in the Hills (2015) South African National Arts Festival – National Youth Jazz Festival (2015) and the UNISA National Vocal Competition (2017). Debbie has been a preliminary judge for SA Idols (2012, 2014), SA’s Got Talent (2014, 2016, 2017) and The Voice South Africa, Durban auditions (2016 – 2019). She was the Vocal Coach for SABC 1’s Season 1 of X Factor South Africa (2014) and was the 2015/16 AFDA (Durban) Discipline Chair for Live Performance Majors (Music). More recently, Debbie joined the jury of the International Online Jazz Competition 7Virtual Jazz Club (2017, 2018, 2019).
For the Jazzy Rainbow performance Debbie will present a collection of jazz standards from the mainstream American songbook, plus a selection of well-known South African compositions. She is joined by Melvin Peters (piano), Philani Ngidi (bass) and Bruce Baker (drums).
Date: Friday 14 June
Entrance: 7pm- R100, including a free drink (T&C)
Address: The Jazzy Rainbow, 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Morningside
Bookings: phone 031-3038398 or email jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
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
Debbie Mari @ The Jazzy Rainbow
