Press Release – For Immediate Release
Johannesburg, 14th March 2017
In association with Concerts SA, lyrical soul-rock trio Sonik Citizen is set for their national tour. Afro-soul and roots-rock are some of the key elements at the core of this versatile trio.
Sonik Citizen is the brainchild of two times SAMA winning producer and multi-award winning artist, Mark Fransman. Holding down the groove are celebrated drummer Paul Tizzard and bass player Eugene Ackerman. Fransman fronts the group with his unique soul-inspired voice and all-round musicianship.
2017 is already set to be a successful year for the band. Their upcoming shows include a range of prestigious music festivals such as The Concerts in the Park (Cape Town), The Cape Town Folk ‘n Acoustic Music Festival (Kirstenbosch), The Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Lush Festival (Clarens), as well as this Concerts SA-endorsed national tour in April.
Mark Fransman has performed major stages and festivals worldwide which include the Euro De Afrique Festival (Italy), the North Sea Jazz Festival (The Hague), the Swedish Jazz Celebration, the Leipzig Jazz Festival (Germany), the Edge of Wrong Festival (Cape Town) and the Vadsø International Festival (Norway). He has performed and worked with the likes of Pharaoh Sanders, Finley Quaye, Tony Cedras, Hubert Laws, Sibongile Khumalo, Louis Moholo, Winston Mankunku, René McLean, Hein van de Geyn, Zim Ngqawana, Gloria Bosman, Vicky Samson, Selaelo Selota, Judith Sephuma, Errol Dyers, Jimmy Dludlu and Dave Young.
Commenting on this tour, Mark says: “Touring as Sonik Citizen is truly a dream realised. As this is Sonik’s ‘maiden voyage’ – the first time playing outside of our hometown, Cape Town – it is with much excitement that we ‘set sail’ and all because of Concerts SA and their Mobility Fund. Thank you Concerts SA for affording us the opportunity to take our music to the people!”
Fransman is the recipient of the Standard Band Young Artist Jazz Award, the FNB Vita Award and winner of the Adcock Ingram Jazz Award. He has recorded with numerous local and international artists which include Jimmy Dludlu, Steve Dyer, McCoy Mrubata, Marcus Wyatt, Moreira Chonguica, Tina Schouw, Melonie Scholtz, Tribe and Gavin Minter. Selected discography includes Mark Fransman’s Strait & Narro, Ahead (2006), Long Time Coming (2009) and Sonik Citizen (2015).
Sonik Citizen’s national tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative housed under the auspices of the Stakeholder Hub within the SAMRO Foundation; it receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, the project aims to support live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create a vibrant and viable live music circuit. 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 twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ConcertsSA.
Artist Links
Web: www.markfransman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/sonikcitizen
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/markfransman
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQWms-jXUiRN3C58zamlrg
Events Listing
Pretoria – Hard Rock Cafe
Wednesday 5th April – 9pm – No cover charge
Address: Shop G167, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria
Contact: 010 140 0797 / info@hrcpretoria.com
Johannesburg – Tuc n Tap
Thursday 6th April – 7pm – No cover charge
Address: Summerfields Shopping Centre, Kelly Ave & Kowie Rd, Randburg
Contact: 011 791 4465 / info@tucntap.co.za
Pretoria – Railways Cafe
Friday 7th April – 9.30pm – R 50
Address: 2 Hack Rd, Pretoria
Contact: 012 667 1158 / www.railwayscafe.co.za
Johannesburg – The Good Luck Bar
Saturday 8th April – 9pm – R 100
Address: 1 Fox St, Johannesburg
Contact: 084 683 4413 / info@goodluckbar.co.za
Johannesburg – Fourways Farmers Market
Sunday 9th April – 2.30pm – No cover charge
Address: 1 Montecasino Blvd, Sandton
Contact: 011 465 0877 / info@ffmarket.co.za
Johannesburg – Social on Main
Sunday 9th April – 4pm – No cover charge
Address: 1 Posthouse Street, Sandton
Contact: 011 706 7115 / info@socialonmain.co.za
Johannesburg – The Orbit [Mark Fransman Quartet]
Wednesday 12th April – 8pm – R 120
Address: 81 De Korte St, Bramfontein, Johannesburg
Contact: 011 339 6645 / info@theorbit.co.za
Johannesburg – The Orbit [Sonik Citizen]
Thursday 13th April – 8pm – R 120
Address: 81 De Korte St, Bramfontein, Johannesburg
Contact: 011 339 6645 / info@theorbit.co.za
Clarens – Lush Festival
Friday 14th April – 8pm – R 445
Address: Linwood Farm, R711, Clarens, Free State
Contact: www.lushfestival.com
Durban – The Chairman
Saturday 15th April – 11pm – R 150
Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban
Contact: 078 387 1408 / info@thechairmanlive.com
Durban – Sun Coast Casino
Sunday 16th April – 2pm – No cover charge
Address: Suncoast Boulevard, Marine Parade, Durban
Contact: 031 328 3000 / suncoast.events@tsogosun.com
